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When people hide their faces, their hands start talking. 

Good things come to those who bait. 

Fisherman’s traditional bay, Yoff, Dakar, Senegal.

After two days of violent protests in Senegal, President Abdoulaye Wade backed away from his proposal for two major constitutional changes. 

The amendment, which he introduced this week, would have required a presidential candidate to obtain only 25 percent of votes in order to win the first round of a national election.

The constitution currently requires 50 percent plus. Opposition party members said this change would nearly guarantee President Wade a victory in the February 2012 election.

The amendment would also establish a vice presidency. Both supporters and opponents of President Wade argue his son, Karim Wade, would be the first pick for the spot.

Karim Wade, often referred to as “Super-Minister” Wade, is currently the minister of state for international cooperation, regional development, and infrastructure. In his position, he controls over 25 percent of Senegal’s federal budget.

Wade withdrew the bill Thursday after two days of violent clashes between protesters and riot police in the capital of Dakar.

Read more at Voice of America, Christian Science Monitor and Reuters.

[Above: A supporter of President Abdoulaye Wade, foreground, throws rocks at demonstrators protesting proposed constitutional changes, outside the National Assembly in central Dakar, Senegal, Thursday, June 23, 2011. Credit: Rebecca Blackwell/AP]

Gabourey “Gabby” Sidibe is an American actress who made her acting debut in the 2009 film Precious as Claireece. Sidibe was born and raised in New York.   Her mother is African-American and her father is Senegal-born.

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