Grand Finale: Xeex Sibbiru Song Contest

Tonight is the finale of the “Xeex Sibbiru” (“Fight Malaria”) Song Contest, led by international superstar Youssou Ndour. Senegal will declare the winner: the face not only of Senegal’s musical future but also of a country on the brink of ending malaria deaths for once and for all.

The Song Contest is an extension of Youssou’s campaign last year, when—on the eve of the National Malaria Control Program’s distribution of mosquito nets to every child under five—he hosted a concert in Dakar and released the hit song, Xeex Sibbiru, encouraging all Senegalese families to take responsibility for the fight against malaria in their homes, communities and country.

See videos from backstage below. Additional videos can be found on the Dakar Calling blog. AFP TV recently featured the song contest—see here for the video clip.