Senegal music star Youssou N'Dour intervenes to avert feared political violence
By RUKMINI CALLIMACHI
AP
DAKAR, Senegal (AP) - Opposition leaders canceled a political demonstration that many feared would turn violent on Friday, after an intercession by one of Senegal's biggest stars - musician Youssou N'Dour, party officials said.
N'Dour, a pop legend throughout Africa, called key members of the opposition and persuaded them to halt the protest, said opposition coalition spokesman Ousmane Badiane, who had coordinated the march.
The 47-year-old Grammy award winner said he felt compelled to speak out after protesters clashed with police on Jan. 27, leaving several injured.
"I think the protest would have turned violent, and it's not good for the image of my country," N'Dour told The Associated Press in an interview in this seaside capital, hours after the protest was canceled.
"Everyone listens to my music. They're interested in what I have to say. They also know that in politics, I'm neutral," N'Dour said. "So I think because of this, the opposition listened and agreed to do this for the good of our country."
The march was scheduled to occur 48 hours before the start of Senegal's presidential campaign on Sunday. The presidential election is set for Feb. 25.
City authorities had not issued a permit to the demonstrators, virtually guaranteeing a clash with security forces. The U.S. Embassy warned Americans in Dakar to stay off the expected march route.
On Jan. 27, Senegalese riot police fired tear gas at protesters, beat back the crowd with rifle butts and detained the head of one of the main opposition parties.
"Sometimes when there is a crisis in our country, we turn to opinion-makers like Youssou N'Dour. He's a singer we all know. He's brilliant, and so people listened to him," the opposition spokesman, Badiane, said.
Opposition leaders have a long list of complaints, including that parliamentary elections have twice been postponed.
N'Dour rose to prominence in the United States and Europe in the 1980s with his country's homegrown popular music, mbalax. He won a Grammy in 2005 for his album "Egypt."
N'Dour, a pop legend throughout Africa, called key members of the opposition and persuaded them to halt the protest, said opposition coalition spokesman Ousmane Badiane, who had coordinated the march.
The 47-year-old Grammy award winner said he felt compelled to speak out after protesters clashed with police on Jan. 27, leaving several injured.
"I think the protest would have turned violent, and it's not good for the image of my country," N'Dour told The Associated Press in an interview in this seaside capital, hours after the protest was canceled.
"Everyone listens to my music. They're interested in what I have to say. They also know that in politics, I'm neutral," N'Dour said. "So I think because of this, the opposition listened and agreed to do this for the good of our country."
The march was scheduled to occur 48 hours before the start of Senegal's presidential campaign on Sunday. The presidential election is set for Feb. 25.
City authorities had not issued a permit to the demonstrators, virtually guaranteeing a clash with security forces. The U.S. Embassy warned Americans in Dakar to stay off the expected march route.
On Jan. 27, Senegalese riot police fired tear gas at protesters, beat back the crowd with rifle butts and detained the head of one of the main opposition parties.
"Sometimes when there is a crisis in our country, we turn to opinion-makers like Youssou N'Dour. He's a singer we all know. He's brilliant, and so people listened to him," the opposition spokesman, Badiane, said.
Opposition leaders have a long list of complaints, including that parliamentary elections have twice been postponed.
N'Dour rose to prominence in the United States and Europe in the 1980s with his country's homegrown popular music, mbalax. He won a Grammy in 2005 for his album "Egypt."
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