Thousands march in opposition protest in Senegal

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DAKAR (Reuters) - Thousands of opposition supporters marched
through Senegal's capital Dakar on Tuesday in a rare show of
public discontent with Abdoulaye Wade, the charismatic
president of the mainly Muslim nation.

The protesters were demanding airtime for opposition parties
on state media, but some widened the scope of their
complaints and shouted "He should go", referring to Wade.

Police said 6,000 people took part in the protest, which was
organised by a coalition of 14 opposition parties. Organisers
said 10 times as many took part.

"Look at this overwhelming enthusiasm," said Moustapha
Niasse, head of the Alliance of Forces for Progress and a
former prime minister. "This shows how fed up people are.

Senegalese want the changes they have been waiting for since
2000."

Wade, a pro-Western leader with a pan-African vision, was
elected in 2000, ending four decades of Socialist party rule.

The smooth transfer of power enhanced Senegal's reputation
for stability in a turbulent region, but Wade has come under
increasing criticism months from opponents denouncing
corruption and a growing climate of impunity from
prosecution.

Presidential elections are due in the former French colony in
2007, with legislative polls expected next year.

"We have no access to state media and yet it belongs to us
all, and we also demand transparent elections," said Amath
Dansokho, one of the protest's organisers.

As they marched, the demonstrators were heckled by dozens of
Wade's supporters, who shouted "Sopi, sopi", which means
change in the local Wolof language and which was Wade's
campaign motto.

Protest organisers said some of their supporters who had
travelled by bus to Dakar were prevented from entering the
city and joining the protest by security forces.

"The fact that the march took place under the supervision of
the police and that it took place calmly shows that there is
freedom in Senegal," said Interior Minister Ousmane Ngom.