World music icon Youssou Ndour named Senegal’s minister for culture, tourism in new government

By Associated Press, Published: April 4

DAKAR, Senegal — Senegalese state television reports that world music icon Youssou Ndour has been named the West African country’s minister for culture and tourism.

The announcement of President Macky Sall’s new government was made late Wednesday, two days after his inauguration ceremony.

Earlier this year, Ndour himself launched a failed bid for the presidency and later threw his support behind Sall.

Senegal’s new president won a runoff election by a large margin, ousting an incumbent of 12 years.

Ndour, a Grammy-winning singer who is enormously popular in his home country, had turned in an application to run for president but was disqualified due to a lack of valid signatures.

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/world-music-icon-youssou-ndour-named-senegals-minister-for-culture-tourism-in-new-government/2012/04/04/gIQAPMlzvS_story.html#