Interview

Senegalese singer Youssou N’Dour has been an international star for over twenty years. Still based in Dakar, where he runs his own label and recording studio, he has also created several social enterprises and is an active campaigner against inequality. As Senegal celebrates 50 years of independence we talk to an artist who has become a spokesperson for Africa.

How do you view Senegal’s evolution since independence?
Youssou N’Dour: Since independence, Senegal has rediscovered its own values and traditions, which were repressed during the colonial period. So that’s a very positive thing. The official language is French, but the language spoken by most people is Wolof and other African languages. Also, thanks to the resistance of people like Cheikh Ahmadou Bemba, the Muslim religion has survived despite colonial pressures and today it has an extraordinary standing in society. Senegal has managed to resist the influence of French culture and stay true to itself, and that’s also the case with our music. Yes, I think we’ve managed to keep a lot of things intact. But today, there’s still lots to do.

Would you say that in Senegal, it’s the economy that is dependent?
YND: In certain sectors, such as culture, we are independent. But yes the economy is dependent. And what troubles me is that African resources are not being managed by Africans, they are controlled by foreign businesses. The upshot is that there is no financial gain for the people, even though they live in the midst of great riches.

Is the microcredit project which you have set up part of this quest for autonomy?
YND: Microcredit is a way out of poverty. Our project is quite small, but we are very vocal about encouraging others to get involved because if this model can be scaled out it could have a major positive impact on the economy. Is it working? It’s early days. Sometimes people borrow money just so that they can buy food. Our goal is that these microfinance services should be available to all. There are many people in our country who are marginalised by the banking system and still don’t have access to microcredit either.

What does Léopold Sédar Senghor mean to you?
YND: Above all he’s the father of our independence, however critical you may be about the agreements he negotiated. He succeeded at some things and failed at others. He was a poet. He didn’t have the time, the courage or the means to realise all his ideas, but his ideas were beautiful. He enabled us to reconnect with our values and traditions.

Which other great African figures do you admire?
YND: Djibril Diop Mambéty was one of the greatest film-makers in the world, he was so imaginative and original. Cheikh Anta Diop, (Senegalese historian, 1923-1986) represents a very important Pan-African dimension, beyond Senegal, as did Kwame Nkrumah (who proclaimed Ghana’s independence in 1957) and Mandela. Cheikh Anta left us with a legacy of great ideas on civilisation, and also on global warming.

Do you see people of this stature among the African leaders of today?
YND: The president of Mali, Amadou Toumani Touré: he took power after a military coup when things were very difficult, then he ceded control and returned to the presidency via the ballotbox. And he has stated that he is fully prepared to go at the end of his second term, instead of changing the constitution as so many others try to do. If he does step down as planned, then for me he’ll have proved himself to be one of the great modern political leaders. That doesn’t mean all the others are bad, but these are complicated times, with huge demographic shifts, climate change, the economic crisis…

Many leaders don’t follow democratic protocol.
YND: It’s a horrendous situation. It’s crucial to denounce them, so that freedom wins out.

What do you think about the debate in France on national identity?
YND: My position on this has never changed: I’ve always said that the immigration issue is used as a political football. Ever since our grand-parents came to build Europe, the politicians have never taken them into account. They created a framework based on skin colour and they always return to this theme. When governments introduce draconian immigration laws, it’s an affront to dignity. You take away people’s dignity, and all for the sake of politics …it’s a shame, it’s not where we should be in 2010.

Despite this do you remain optimistic?
YND: What is encouraging is seeing the rise of all these organisations opposing racist political forces. You simply cannot let those politicians get away with it. What’s important is for thinking people who do not accept what is happening to support the associations fighting against this. They are the ones who will solve this problem.

Have you ever considered entering politics?
YND: No. I’ve been asked this many times, but I prefer to participate by supporting others, contributing ideas. I started a non-aligned, independent press group – a newspaper, a magazine and a radio station. We are committed to unbiased reporting. I don’t see myself entering politics. I don’t want to mix everything up. As long as I am passionate, music will remain my priority.

www.youssou.com

Bertrand Bouard

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