R&B star Akon hints of US presidency run, snubs home country Senegal

desmond frimpong

March 7, 2018 11:34 AM

In the wake of Trump's unprecedented victory in the US elections, some American celebrities are hopeful of a win some day. Akon believes that running for the highest office in the US will give him the opportunity to find amicable solutions to the pressing needs of Africans.

After Akons bid to restore power to hurricane-affected areas of the United States was turned down by the Trump administration, Senegalese musician Akon has hinted of running for the Oval Office in the near future.

In the wake of Trump's unprecedented victory in the US elections, some American celebrities are hopeful of a win some day.

The 'Smack That' singerbelieves that running for the highest office in the US will give him the opportunity to find amicable solutions to the pressing needs of Africans.

“I have no interest to be in politics. I get asked that question all the time,” he was quoted by local Ethiopian media The Reporter Ethiopia.

“I have no interest to be in politics in Senegal. If I run, it will be in the United States, perhaps run for president of the US where I can make the most for the (African) continent,” this he said while addressing young people on the issue of youth migration.

“I am seriously going to fight for one passport for Africa where we can all travel freely,” Akon told the scores of young people who had come to listen to him. He urged them to participate in political activities, particularly to exercise their right to vote in all elections and to pay their taxes as “That is how we can make a real difference.”

He also touched on black history month observed by people of colour in the US.

“I don’t teach my children black history. Black history makes you hate white people. Black history shows us as undeserving, as slaves and less human. Every country starts with Unity,” he explained.

This is the generation that has the heart, mind and knowhow to do it. If we don’t take charge, get involved, I don’t know how the African future will look like. If we don’t see the African future, they will (foreign investors). If you don’t own it, they will,” he said.

Akon, real name Aliaume Damala Badara Akon Thiam, is the co-founder of the Akon Lighting Africa project which aims to provide electricity to rural communities in Africa through solar power. While in Ethiopia, the musician joined the country to celebrate the famous Battle of Adwa which happened 122 years ago.

desmond frimpong