SENEGAL: Global music star Youssou N'Dour, whose bid to stand as president in Senegal was turned down, casts his vote at a polling station in Dakar

Record ID: 327697

  • Title: SENEGAL: Global music star Youssou N'Dour, whose bid to stand as president in Senegal was turned down, casts his vote at a polling station in Dakar
  • Date: 27th February 2012
  • Summary: DAKAR, SENEGAL (FEBRUARY 26, 2012) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF POLLING STATION SENEGALESE MUSICIAN YOUSSOU N'DOUR COMING OUT OF CAR PEOPLE QUEUING OUTSIDE POLLING STATION VARIOUS OF N'DOUR PICKING UP BALLOT N'DOUR WALKING INTO VOTING BOOTH BALLOT BOX N'DOUR CASTING VOTE (SOUNDBITE) (French) SENEGALESE MUSICIAN, YOUSSOU N'DOUR, SAYING: "We won't accept an electoral coup here in Senegal. The Senegalese are not stupid, we worked all of last year to wake up the consciousness of our citizens, and I think everybody has heard us very well, the Senegalese have finally heard, and I think it's a good thing, we knew how to use this fact to push away the power who has caused too many deaths, ruined our economy, and sewed desperation in our youth." VARIOUS OF N'DOUR WALKING AND TALKING TO JOURNALISTS
  • Embargoed: 13th March 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Senegal, Senegal
  • Country: Senegal
  • Topics: Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA59WE8G0UPEE4DPWKMN25IHR08
  • Story Text: Senegalese musician Youssou N'Dour, whose bid to run in the country's elections was turned down on technical grounds, said the country will defend its freedom and democracy, as he voted in the capital Dakar on Sunday (February 26).
    "We will not accept an electoral coup here - the Senegalese are not stupid," he told reporters at a polling station in the middle class Dakar district of Amitie.
    "We worked all of last year to wake up the consciousness of our citizens, and I think everybody has heard us very well, the Senegalese have finally heard, and I think it's a good thing, we knew how to use this fact to push away the power who has caused too many deaths, ruined our economy, and sewed desperation in our youth," he said after he voted.
    Senegal President Abdoulaye Wade, who is seeking to extend his 12-year rule in the West African state despite complaints he is violating term limits, was heckled by scores of voters as he cast his ballot.
    The election comes after weeks of violent street protests against the 85-year-old leader's bid for a third term in office and a stream of warnings that Senegal's reputation as an established democracy now hangs in the balance.
    Foreign powers and diplomats issued last minute appeals for calm and a transparent vote, and a top African mediator failed to secure an agreement between Wade, 85, and his rivals over a shortened term for the incumbent if he won.
    END
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