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AFP
Senegal's opposition Sunday rallied the nation for fresh protests to force President Abdoulaye Wade to scrap plans for a third term, as top judges weighed a raft of appeals against his candidacy.

The Constitutional Council, appointed by 85-year-old Wade and known as the "five wise men", had on Friday declared his renewed candidacy valid, sparking deadly riots in the normally placid west African nation.

The opposition, united under the June 23 Movement (M23) warned "the time for talking is over" as it called for mass resistance and a rally in the coming days.

"This is an appeal, a solemn, strong and resolute appeal to engage in resistance. We are ready for all sacrifices," said Amadou Gueye, one of the movement's leaders.

The top court is expected to announce a decision overnight after seven candidates lodged appeals against Wade running again, but there is little hope that it will reverse its decision.

Music icon Youssou Ndour is also challenging the body's rejection of his candidacy. The council ruled that some 4,000 signatures the singer had provided for his presidential bid were not valid.

Ndour's campaign director Alioune Ndiaye said the opposition protest would take place Tuesday, but other M23 leaders said a final date had not been set.

"The problem must be decisively resolved on Tuesday. The time for talking has passed," he told journalists.

The country's top politicians, who will be rivals in February 26 polls, are presenting a united front under the M23 to ensure Wade does not take part.

"Our main concern is not the election right now, it is standing alongside our people," said ex-foreign minister and presidential candidate Cheikh Tidiane Gadio.

Senegal, often hailed for its vibrant democracy, was rocked by riots on Friday night as a rally erupted with anger when the council gave Wade the green light to run.

On policeman was killed in the turmoil when angry youths engaged in running battles with police, torched cars and shops, erected barricades and burned tyres in Dakar's main roads.

When Wade, a veteran opposition leader was elected in 2000 for a seven-year mandate, there was no limit to the number of terms for the head of state.

He was re-elected in 2007 after introducing a two-term limit and reducing the mandate to five years.

He again revised the constitution in 2008, reverting to a seven-year mandate, renewable once. Wade argues that the law is not retroactive and he is entitled to two fresh terms from 2012, but the opposition disagrees.

A local body of online news websites (Appel) said in a statement that 80 percent of Senegal's web news providers had faced technical difficulties since Friday night.

It suspects "attacks against the sites' host servers to prevent the closely-watched online media from relaying news on the current tense situation."

Some 50 people including M23 leaders, left Sunday's press conference in a convoy to Dakar's central police station to demand the release of fellow leader Alioune Tine, arrested Saturday after the riots.

Tine is also a prominent activist with the African Assembly for the Defence of Human Rights (RADDHO), which condemned his arrest without a warrant.

Macky Sall, a former prime minister under Wade who is also running in the election, blamed the president for the weekend violence.

He urged people to "make every effort to ensure that Wade retracts his candidacy because there is no chance he will take part in the election."

Sall called for "everything at once: marches, sit-ins, resistance (but) no violence."

Another anti-Wade movement formed by a group of rappers and calling itself "Y'en a Marre" (We're Fed Up), has also called for nationwide mobilisation.

"Nothing can resist the will of the people," said rapper "Thiat", one of the founders of the movement which has struck a chord with the youth.

Wade has dismissed the opposition protests as "temper tantrums."

On Sunday, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, speaking at an African Union summit in Ethiopia, called on the continent's leaders to respect democracy, though he did not specifically mention Senegal.

The Arab Spring revolutions that swept north Africa last year were "a reminder that leaders must listen to their people," he said.

"Events proved that repression is a dead end. Police power is no match to people power seeking dignity and justice," he said.