(CNN) -- Senegal's octogenarian incumbent president is seeking a third term Sunday, a bid that has sparked deadly protests and threatened the nation's reputation as one of the most stable democracies in Africa. 

The incumbent 

Abdoulaye Wade, 85, came to power in 2000 after multiple unsuccessful runs. One of the continent's oldest leaders, the French-trained lawyer also has a degree in economics. He is seeking a third term against a crowded field of 13 others, including two women. 

He was initially credited with boosting the nation's infrastructure, but his critics have accused him of autocracy and said he is grooming his son to take over after him. 

Others have accused the leader of grandiose investments, including a costly towering monument near the capital of Dakar that sparked criticism in a country where poverty is still rife. 

Other contenders include Ousmane Tanor Dieng, Moustapha Niasse and Macky Sall, the latter of whom considered Wade a mentor. 

Why are protesters against his run? 

Senegalese protesters have taken to the streets nationwide since Wade won a court bid to run for a third term despite a constitutional limit mandating two terms. Wade successfully argued that he is exempt because he took office before the term limit was put in place. 

Wade is among a list of elderly leaders clinging to power in sub-Saharan Africa despite demands for them to step down. Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe used his recent 88th birthday to lash out at critics and vowed to run for re-election. 

The opposition has said it will protest if Wade wins, but analysts say a lack of cohesion among foes and a system that favors the incumbent make it harder to unseat Wade, who is nicknamed the "hare" for his shrewd politics. 
Who is the current president of Senegal?
How old is he?
Since when has he been president?
Is he running again?
How many terms has he had so far?
Is everyone in favor of his next term?
Why not?
Is it allowed to have more than two terms in Senegal?
So why can Wade run?
Is he the oldest leader in Africa?
Who is older?
Where is he president?
How old is he?
What is Wade's nickname?
Why?
What did Wade study?
anything else?
How many people is he running against?
Are they all men?
How many are women?
Abdoulaye Wade
The incumbent 

Abdoulaye Wade, 85, came to power in 2000 after multiple unsuccessful runs. One of the continent's oldest leaders, the French-trained lawyer also has a degree in economics. He is seeking a third term against a crowded field of 13 others, including two women. 
85
Abdoulaye Wade, 85
since 2000
Abdoulaye Wade, 85, came to power in 2000
Yes
Senegal's octogenarian incumbent president is seeking a third term Sunday
two
Senegal's octogenarian incumbent president is seeking a third term
No
a bid that has sparked deadly protests and threatened the nation's reputation as one of the most stable democracies in Africa. 
his critics have accused him of autocracy and said he is grooming his son to take over after him
his critics have accused him of autocracy and said he is grooming his son to take over after him
No
Wade won a court bid to run for a third term despite a constitutional limit mandating two terms
he is exempt because he took office before the term limit was put in place
Wade successfully argued that he is exempt because he took office before the term limit was put in place
No
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe used his recent 88th birthday
Robert Mugabe
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe used his recent 88th birthday
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe
88
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe used his recent 88th birthday
the "hare"
Wade, who is nicknamed the "hare"
for his shrewd politics
Wade, who is nicknamed the "hare" for his shrewd politics
economics
Abdoulaye Wade, 85, came to power in 2000 after multiple unsuccessful runs. One of the continent's oldest leaders, the French-trained lawyer also has a degree in economics
law
Abdoulaye Wade, 85, came to power in 2000 after multiple unsuccessful runs. One of the continent's oldest leaders, the French-trained lawyer
13
He is seeking a third term against a crowded field of 13 others
no
a third term against a crowded field of 13 others, including two women
two
including two women. 