Protests in Senegal defy President Wade

Anti-government protests have sprung up in Dakar, the capital of Senegal, as people rushed a parliamentary building to rally against a law that they say would legalize nepotism.

The law would have created a vice-president position, which the nation does not currently have. Speculation that President Abdoulaye Wade would place his son in the role sparked anger among the Senegalese youth.

Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets on the protestors, who gathered at the gates outside of Parliament. A reported 100 people were injured in the event.

Unlike in many of the Arab nations, where protests against the government have been ongoing for months, the Senegalese parliament quickly bowed to demands. The protestors successfully compelled the 85-year-old Wade and other party members to annul the law.

But they are not stopping there. The demonstrators are trying to block President Wade from running for a third term.

The battle that was won does not put an end to our fight to restore law and order ... and legitimacy, leaders of Don't Touch My Constitution! group said in a statement. One last battle remains: to make sure ... Wade does not try and impose his candidacy in 2012. This would be illegal, illegitimate, inopportune and dangerous for the stability of Senegal and the sub-region.

Senegal is seen as a comparatively stable country in West Africa, an area where many leaders have been overthrown by coups d'états in the past.