People around the world are waiting for President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration.
In Senegal, the Obama inauguration led the morning news on Dakar's Convergence FM, kicking off a day of analysis and expectations for America's new president. There have been several rebroadcasts of his victory speech in Chicago with a running translation in French and many playings of the will.i.am song set to the campaign slogan "Yes we can."
Obama souvenirs are on the streets downtown. Two of the biggest nightclubs in the oceanside village of Ngor are hosting Obama inauguration parties around large-screen televisions broadcasting the ceremonies from Washington.
Student Mamadou Sarr says it is an opportunity for all Africans. He hopes America's first black president will begin closer relations with Africa and help in efforts to bring peace.
But Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade says Africans should not expect too much from Mr. Obama.
President Wade told French television that he is not like those Africans who think that Barack Obama coming to power will dramatically change relations with Africa. Barack Obama was not elected by Africans but by Americans, he said, and the new president's first priority will be lifting America out of its financial crisis.
