Cotonou, Benin - A network of Civil society organisations in Benin, the Social Watch-Benin, has asked the Senegalese President, Abdoulaye Wade, not to run for the presidency on 26 February. In a statement here Monday, Social Watch-Benin said that instead, President Wade should go into a peaceful retirement, having ruled the West African nation for two terms.

The network called on President Wade to follow the example of other honourable sons of Africa like Nelson Mandela, Mathieu Kérékou and Abdou Diouf, who left office in accordance with the constitutions of their countries.

The Senegalese constitution allows presidents to serve only two terms.

Saying that Senegal constitutes, for all of Africa, a model of democracy, the network said it was worried by the latest political situation in Senegal following the validation by the Constitutional Council of the candidacy of Wade for a third term.

Since the validation, opposition groups took to the streets, protesting against Wade's bid.

Wade was first elected on 19 March, 2000, for a seven-year term, and re-elected on 25 February, 2007, after introducing a two-term limit and reducing the mandate to five years.

Social Watch-Benin also called on all Senegalese authorities to avoid the arrests and intimidation of protesting opposition groups.

Meanwhile, the presidential electioneering campaign has started.

Pana 07/02/2012