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Senegal musician Youssou N'dour given ministerial post Senegal musician Youssou N'dour given ministerial post
(40 minutes later)
Senegalese musician Youssou N'dour has been appointed tourism and culture minister in the cabinet of new President Macky Sall.Senegalese musician Youssou N'dour has been appointed tourism and culture minister in the cabinet of new President Macky Sall.
The singer threw his weight behind Mr Sall in elections earlier this year after being disqualified from running as a candidate himself.The singer threw his weight behind Mr Sall in elections earlier this year after being disqualified from running as a candidate himself.
Mr Sall, 50, was sworn into office on Monday, becoming the country's first new leader in 12 years.Mr Sall, 50, was sworn into office on Monday, becoming the country's first new leader in 12 years.
He beat the incumbent, Abdoulaye Wade, in a run-off vote last month.He beat the incumbent, Abdoulaye Wade, in a run-off vote last month.
Mr Wade, 85, was criticised for competing for a third term in power, but was credited after the poll for peacefully conceding defeat.Mr Wade, 85, was criticised for competing for a third term in power, but was credited after the poll for peacefully conceding defeat.
Youssou N'dour is one of 25 new appointees to the cabinet headed by Prime Minister Abdoul Mbaye.Youssou N'dour is one of 25 new appointees to the cabinet headed by Prime Minister Abdoul Mbaye.
Senegal's Constitutional Council had barred him for running in the polls on the grounds that he had failed to provide enough valid signatures to back his application.Senegal's Constitutional Council had barred him for running in the polls on the grounds that he had failed to provide enough valid signatures to back his application.
The BBC's Thomas Fessy in Dakar says N'dour is very popular in Senegal, where he owns an influential media group, a night club and a music studio.
Earlier this week, in celebration of Mr Sall's victory, N'dour performed live in in one of the main squares in the capital, Dakar, where opposition supporters often clashed with security forces during the election campaign.