Senegal bans reggae star for criticising president
December 13, 2007
recasts with Senegal declaring artist persona non grata)
By Daniel Flynn
DAKAR, Dec 13 (Reuters) - Senegal banned reggae star Tiken Jah Fakoly from the West African country on Wednesday after he strongly criticised President Abdoulaye Wade at a concert in Dakar and called on him to "leave power".
Fakoly, one of Africa’s best-loved musicians and famed for his outspoken criticism of the continent’s corrupt leaders, added his voice to rights groups who have accused the octogenarian Wade of becoming increasingly authoritarian.
The president’s critics say Senegal’s once-bright democratic credentials have been tarnished by Wade’s political manoeuvres to position his son to succeed him, the detention without trial of critical journalists and the diminishing power of parliament.
"Mr president, if you love Senegal, leave power!" Fakoly said during the concert on Wednesday, to rapturous cheers and applause from hundreds of Senegalese, before launching into his anthem for corrupt politicians "Quitte le pouvoir" — "Leave Power".
Wade, a long-time opposition leader elected in 2000, easily won re-election in February but has since angered many ordinary Senegalese by focusing on preparations for an Islamic conference next year, while ignoring pressing social problems.
The worst riots in decades erupted in Dakar last month when Wade ordered the removal of thousands of street sellers from the downtown area to ease traffic congestion. He has sheltered his son Karim, who is managing the infrastructure projects for the Islamic conference, from testifying before parliament.
"If you don’t want your son to be questioned by parliamentarians, you should not have involved him in running the country," said Fakoly, a long-time campaigner for peace in his native Ivory Coast, dressed in a long white robe emblazoned with maps of Africa.
The government of the poor former French colony, which has in the past expelled senior diplomats for public criticism of its policy, responded swiftly.
"Following the discourteous statements by the artist Tiken Jah Fakoly regarding our government, the artist is declared persona non grata in Senegal," read an Interior Ministry ruling broadcast on state television.
Despite Senegal’s relatively small economy and population, Wade has tried to compete with South African President Thabo Mbeki for leadership on African issues.
Last month, Wade launched an impassioned defence of President Robert Mugabe during a trip to Harare aimed at defusing Western criticism of human rights abuses in Zimbabwe. (Editing by Alistair Thomson and Sami Aboudi)
© Reuters 2007. All Rights Reserved. |
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