Friday, December 14, 2007

Plus rien ne M’éttone: Tiken Jah Fakoly banned from Senegal

Abdoulaye Wade making more friends. From Reuters:

Senegal banned reggae star Tiken Jah Fakoly from the West African country on Wednesday after he strongly criticized 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".

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