American Professor Thinks That Senegalese Singer Youssou Ndure Should Reconsider His Presidential Bid!

By Pa Nderry M’Bai

Author’s Email: panderrymbai@gmail.com

Tel: 919-749-6319

A leading American Professor Dr. Sulayman Nyang is of the view that  if the Senegalese musical superstar Youssou Ndure wants to continue to win the support,  respect, and admiration of his fans base, the singer  should focus on his musical career than eying for the position of the Presidency.

Dr. Nyang,  who teaches African Systems of Government,  and African Political Thought; Public Policy at the Howard University spoke at length on Monday during a Freedom Radio interview about Senegal’s political history, colonial ties with France, and its founding fathers.

The renowned professor, who recently received a lifetime award on his “40-year career in academia and activism that has helped shape perceptions of Islam in Africa” also commented on the cultural perception associated with politics in Africa—most importantly the French speaking nation Senegal.  

Weighing in on singer Youssou Ndure’s recent announcement that he was going to run for the Senegalese Presidency, Dr. Nyang urges the multimillion platinum artist to seriously rethink about the viability of his proposed political venture.  Mr. Nyang opines that Mr. Ndure could serve his country effectively without becoming a President.  In that he thinks that the musician should concentrate on his calling, or publicly rally his support behind the existing political parties than doubling into active politics. 

According to Professor Nyang, Senegal’s political dynamics is a complex one and unique for that matter—compared to other African countries. He observes that cultural beliefs and taboos are deep rooted in the continent’s political chemistry.  And in jurisdictions like Senegal, singers are considered as not Presidential material.  They cannot also serve as Imams. This is largely associated with cultural perceptions, and beliefs, the Howard professor tells Freedom Radio.

Mr. Nyang said Youssou Ndure reserves the right to run for public office but the bottom-line is: whether the Senegalese people will have the faith and trust in entrusting the affairs of their nation to a singer.  

Mr. Nyang said that Youssou Ndure is free to meet him if he visits the United States in the future so that he can speak to him as a brother to give thought to his advice.  He said he wished the musician success in his career.

The Howard Professor also spoke about the founding fathers of Senegal and their role in shaping the country’s political health. He said the country’s previous and present leaders are highly educated. He made reference to the late Senegalese President Senghore, who is also a political philosopher, whose political legacy is well documented within  Senegal and beyond its frontiers. 

Mr. Nyang said former President Senghore, Sheik Anta Jobe, Abdou Diouf, Mustapha Nyass, Abdoulaye Wade, just to name a few are people of wisdom and knowledge.  And for Youssou Ndure, a school dropout for that matter  to emerge as Senegal’s next Presidential hopeful will sound strange to the Senegalese community. He said under a normal African cultural setting, singers are expected to praising their leaders , criticize, and in some occasions use their artistic skills to instill social reforms in a given society.

Further buttressing his position on Youssou Ndure’s Presidential candidature, the Gambian born American professor wondered how leaders like Yahya Jammeh of the Gambia, will feel when his former “guriot” (singer) Youssou Ndure ceases to entertain him if he becomes the President of Senegal.  He said Ndure earns his living through selling music and that his global fame was as a result of his musical career.  He said the singer should focus on his profession and step aside from the Senegalese Presidential race.