Youssou N'Dour Running for President of Senegal?

Speculation is rampant that Youssou N'Dour will run for President of Senegal after a falling out between him and his once close political friend and ally, current President Abdoulaye Wade, who is said to be grooming his own successor to the office.

While N'Dour has denied the rumors, his comments in the matter have only helped to stir further speculation. The 50-year old global singing star stated publicly that "the people will decide" and that "from now on I will no longer be neutral."

N'Dour is no normal national music hero. He is also a Senegalese business mogul, who, because he has never left his home country, has set up a sizable media empire that includes a newspaper, which has been critical of Abdoulaye Wade's conduct in the past few years of his presidency. N'Dour has already proven his political weight after collecting one million signatures to launch a TV station that the current Senagelese administration has been "dragging its feet" on permitting.

N'Dour publicly expressed his doubts about the president, who once called him a son. "I get the feeling the president hears only in mono these days, not in stereo," he said. "He used to be accessible. He has removed those who told him the truth."