N’Dour ventures into politics for the have-nots
The 52-year-old has always dabbled into the politics of his country, Senegal. He has spoken out against inequality, corruption and poverty. He has moved from being a mrre commentator and advocate to active participation in politics. The 2005 Grammy Award winner has associated himself with several social and political issues. In 1985, he organized a […]
The 52-year-old has always dabbled into the politics of his country, Senegal. He has spoken out against inequality, corruption and poverty. He has moved from being a mrre commentator and advocate to active participation in politics.
The 2005 Grammy Award winner has associated himself with several social and political issues. In 1985, he organized a concert for the release of Nelson Mandela.
Starting off by hustling pirated CDs in car parks, and becoming one of the most influential recording artists in the world, penultimate Monday, the head of the ‘Super Etoile de Dakar’ music band announced that by next month, he would be abandoning all his tour dates and performing commitments to enter fully into politics a month ahead of scheduled presidential elections.
The Guardian UK reported that “the animosity between N’Dour (who has become something of a media mogul at home) and President Abdoulaye Wade, 85, is well-known. Wade blocked N’Dour’s television station TFM from getting a license for two-years and, once it was granted, banned his station from broadcasting anything but cultural shows.
“Exactly what form N’Dour’s political involvement will take is unclear, so far, although there is widespread speculation that he may present himself as a presidential candidate.
“I will free myself of all artistic commitments from January 2, next year to enter the political arena. For me, there are two Senegals. The Senegal of the have-nots and Senegal of the haves. My concern is the Senegal of the have-nots,” said N’Dour in a live broadcast on TFM at the weekend.
According to the artiste, “my concern is the Senegal of the have-nots,” the musician added on his own TV station, TCM, in the west African country.
It is reported that N’Dour’s plan has been greeted with wild optimism by his many fans, but not everyone is thrilled.
“The political class is scrambling around to figure out his next move,” said Amadou Diop, an advisor to Idrissa Seck, a former PM and key opposition figure. “Even if he doesn’t contest the presidency itself, his decisions are going to have a big impact. Anyone he throws his weight behind is going to claw a lot of votes.
“His political movement is going to put pressure on politicians. He’s loved by Senegalese, by music fans, and he’s a shrewd businessman who has created jobs – this is what the people want.”
N’dour with his background in music is not the first to venture into such a gamble. Former Fugees star, Wyclef Jean and one time hit musician, Michel Martelly, both of whom vied for office of president in Haiti with the latter winning the race.
Although some analysts predicted Jean’s popularity with the youth of Haiti could help him easily win the presidential election if his candidacy were approved, Jean didn’t make it past the initial stages of the electoral process.
On August 20, 2010, he was deemed ineligible to run for office and his candidacy was rejected by Haiti’s Electoral Council.
It is hoped that a similar rejection will not meet N’Dour who is best known globally for his songs drawing on Senegal’s traditional mbalax music, and feted at home as an entrepreneur.