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Senegal Music Icon Ndour Warns On Wade's Bid
Sunday, 08 January 2012 20:20
Youssou Ndour
In an interview with AFP the world-famous singer, who this week shook up the country's presidential race by announcing his candidacy, said Wade, 85, had no place on the February 26 ballot.
"I don't even consider Wade a candidate, because if we stay within the framework of the constitution, he does not have the right," Ndour said of a dilemma that has gripped the nation for months, sparking violent clashes.
Ndour has been hailed as one of the world's greatest living singers (AFP, Seyllou)
Wade was first elected in 2000 for a two-term mandate, and re-elected in 2007 but since the length of presidential terms was changed while he was in office he argues that he is due another stint. Opposition and civil society fiercely disagree.
The Grammy-winning Ndour said influential leaders need to step in before it is too late and the controversial candidacy would lead one of Africa's most stable democracies towards trouble.
"I appeal to the whole world, to those who are not yet clear on this: We need to tell him the truth," Ndour said, addressing himself to America's President Barack Obama, France's Nicolas Sarkozy, British Prime Minister David Cameron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
"Tell him clearly, Obama, Sarko, Cameron, Merkel, et cetera, tell him that the fundamental law, that which governs Senegal, does not allow him to stand. That he must not force it because it is better to be safe than sorry."
"I say this because generally they (these leaders) stay out of it until there are problems. We don't need that in Senegal, it is a country of peace," Ndour said.
The Constitutional Council is expected to rule on the legality of Wade's candidacy in late January.
"I am non-violent, but we don't control the Senegalese. From the moment there is no justice, peace is not possible. Justice goes with peace, peace with justice," the musician added.
Senegal's most violent riots under Wade's rule took place in June when he tried to reduce the proportion of votes needed to win an election from 50 percent to 25 percent to avoid a run-off.
The proposed constitutional changes -- including efforts to create a post of vice president seen as a way to groom his son as his successor -- were scrapped after violent clashes that left scores injured.
Clashes between the ruling party and opposition in late December left one person dead and three injured.
With some 20 candidates running in an election seen by analysts as the most open since independence from France in 1960, Ndour hopes to transform fans into voters despite the odds against him.
Born in Dakar's working-class Medina suburb, Ndour has spent three decades touring the world, but has no university degree.
"I have studied at the school of the world. Travel teaches as much as books," Ndour said when he declared his candidacy.
Hailed as one of the world's greatest living singers, Ndour has achieved huge international success with his blend of Senegal's popular Mbalax music style with samba, hip-hop, jazz and soul.
The 52-year-old singer has kept his ties to his country, and proved to be a savvy businessman, running a micro-finance company and a media group. He says he is bringing "a new approach, a new vision" to the leadership of the country.
"I think I will create a surprise, I think there is a quiet change happening, people will vote Youssou Ndour.
"I see the desperation of the people. I am one of them. I see the situation deteriorating."
If elected, the singer's priorities will be health, education and agriculture and reducing what he called the "lavish state lifestyle."
"As president of Senegal, I know I will be welcomed with open arms around the world, and that way I can change the game, be part of a dynamic economy, because I want to achieve food self-sufficiency" for Senegal.
If elected, "You" as he is affectionately called, pledged to abandon all his artistic and business endeavours: "Senegal is more important than all of that."
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Comments
Yes, at the British High Commission in Fajara but it was told the visa section has been moved to Ghana. So instead of filling a form, the bird decided to fly to Accra.
Thanks
Thanks
Well brother what I cant understand it has happened to people before and I saw Jollofnews coming in to clarify and warning the person engaging on impersonating names to stop or will be revealed and the latest one was a comment made by the username “Liza” who they thought it was someone impersonating because the usual username “Liza” was always commenting against Jammeh till “Liza” came out to complain why the name was changed to “Fake” and it was changed back to Liza. Why this has been happening to me for months but is ignored? Is double standards accepted as their motto is “TO REPORT FAIRLY WITHOUT FAVOUR, HATRED OR FEAR”. They say they report as the news come to them on what they know and people want to know. Here is one they know that others want to know but is forgotten. Who do we now trust, journalists or leaders?
We only hope that the able Editors in JollofNews will try to do something in this horrific situation which is tryint to tarnish their Excellent Image here !
In the Service of the Truth I Remain
There is no other name user experiencing such except me. Why similar complains are been made but mine is ignored? Is it another double standards been practiced? Is Jollofnews fair to me? Is impersonating allowed in journarlism? Please no double standards as we all trust this paper has made a lot of differences compared to sister papers. This is the only user name allowed to be used by different people and I think since you are able to correct previous complains this one can be stooped.
I have been commenting here since the onset of this paper online and my previous name was Lamin. Later this name was bared for a reason unknown to me and I asked for an explanations but no reply. I then decided to use ML and here again someone decide to use the same initial to express himself/ herself . I made an appeal with others for this to be corrected as I can remember a similar thing happened, someone using the name “Bajaw” and when the initial user of the name “Bajaw” learnt of this and complained Jollofnews came in to clarify that it was not the usual Bajaw and anyone impersonating will be revealed and the person stopped. Again not long the name user “Liza” commented and Jollofnews thought it was not the same name user who commented the name was changed to “Fake”. When Liza the user name realizes this and complained, “Fake” was changed back to “Liza”. Here the same has been happening and I have been complaining and nothing is still been done.
The human mind was never created to stop at borders or check points. Those who would wish to stifle freedom of thought,conspir e to impose only there own insecurity and fear upon mankind..
Did you ever see a bird stopping to collect a visa ?
Comment:
There is no insecurity on anyone here or there, everyone is free to speak from the bottom of your mind, this is the freedom of each and everyone !
For the borders, We only came to know them when your Ancestors Divided us to be Nigerians, Malians, Togolese, Ghanians, Chadians, Egyptians, Algerians, and even the Smallest of them (Kambi Bolong) You and your ancestors never mind to divided it to be part of its own, for their Selfish interest.
For Birds, we've seen you caging others as your Pet too was that not a type of seizing their freedom ?
In the service of the truth I remain
The human mind was never created to stop at borders or check points. Those who would wish to stifle freedom of thought,conspir e to impose only there own insecurity and fear upon mankind..
Did you ever see a bird stopping to collect a visa ?
Interesting how Mr Ndour...makes his appeal to Western leaders and not African?
Comment:
Don't see it as interesting abd be proud of it, be knowing that Yussu is a Great singer and he can use word in different directions, that is to say, he want to let the "wazungu-Men tyo know that, we are all seeing them how they indulged in the Affairs of Ivory Coast just recently and if such a double standard are to be Happen in Senegal, it is all going to be in a defferent way, that is why He Yussu warned them for let them break Horses and that of Abdoulie Wade too to leave of rule ourselves as we feel it.
So if you are proud of that comment tryint to seeing yourself as champion, then you must be laughing at yourself out there !
In the service of SeneGamBissau I remain
The thing about the great "social" song writers like Lennon, Marley, Dylon..and Ndour...is that they paint compelling pictures that inspire...the ordinary citizens of the world.
Here is a chance for one of them...to become President and change our world for the better.Its exciting !!!
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