Senegal heads to the polls overshadowed by deadly protests

Country's reputation as one of Africa's model democracies under threat after weeks of violence

Senegal heads to the polls on Sunday after weeks of chaos, violence and uncertainty prompted fears that democracy had been fatally undermined in one of west Africa's most stable countries.

Analysts say the presidential election is the most wide open in Senegal since it secured independence from France more than 60 years ago.