DAKAR, Senegal, Jan. 3 (UPI) -- Grammy-winning musician Youssou N'Dour says he wants to do more for his country, Senegal, so he's running for president.
N'Dour, speaking on his television network, TFM, cited "a supreme patriotic duty to do more for my country," CNN reported Tuesday.
N'Dour is to run in the February presidential election against incumbent Abdoulaye Wade, who is seeking a third term.
Critics charged Wade proposed changes to the constitution that would have made it easier for him to win re-election, reducing the percentage of votes needed to avoid a runoff from 50 percent to 25 percent. Thousands of protesters clashed with police in the capital, Dakar, over the proposed change.
Senegal has not had a history of military coups, as other West African nations have, but political tensions have increased ahead of next month's election.
"We have to continue to communicate the message of peace and tolerance and this is what my presidency will advocate if elected," N'Dour said.
