Culture

Fally Ipupa begs Congolese in diaspora not to protest at his shows

Published

1 year ago

November 3, 2023

One of Democratic Republic of Congo’s biggest music stars, Fally Ipupa has begged his countrymen in the diaspora not to use any of his upcoming shows to stage protests against the government of the country.

The star whose hit track, “Un Coup” where he featured Congolese-French singer, Dadju, has been viewed more than 80 million times on YouTube, with his live performances attracting thousands of fans, made the appeal following a protest at one of his gigs at the Kinshasa’s Stadium of Martyrs last year where 11 people reportedly lost their lives while hundreds of others were injured.

Also in 2020 when he performed in Paris, France, there were riots outside the venue of the event, with protesters setting fire to bins and motorbikes, in a protest the French authorities linked to politics back home.

In the same vein, many Congolese in the diaspora have tried to stop musicians from the troubled African country from performing in Europe in order to show their opposition to politicians back home, accusing the big stars of being too close to power and failing to speak out against abuses happening in DR Congo.

As he prepares for his concerts coming up in December in London, Paris and Brussels, and with elections scheduled to hold back home at the same period, the star has pleaded with the Congolese communities not to use his shows to stage a protest.

“Most of the people know now that I don’t do political things. I am just a musician and they have realised that you cannot punish your child all his life,” he said in an interview with the BBC.

Ipupa said he did have some sympathy for those who boycotted his concerts but felt it was time to move past politics and support DR Congo’s music industry.

“I agree that things were happening politically which were not correct in DR Congo, and I’ve always told them that I agree with certain of the protesters who wanted to get the message across and raise awareness in people.

“But now the time has come to say, look guys, we have punished the artists, we have slowed down Congolese culture, it’s time to show the world that we have very, very strong music,” he enthused.

He also feels that “Congolese music has really suffered, losing its place in Europe to music from Nigeria, Ghana and Jamaica” as a result of political turmoil.

“Nigerian Afrobeats artists are now filling the major venues that Congolese artists used to fill 10 years ago,” he lamented.

But he says he is confident that this can change.

“Congolese music is one of the most beautiful and rich, we have many talented artists, so if our brothers and sisters in Europe say no more blocking of Congolese music in Europe, trust me we’re going to take our place in the world,” he predicts.

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Culture

Moroccan doctors stage nationwide protest in ‘Week of Anger’

Published

1 day ago

December 25, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Moroccan doctors across the country on Tuesday staged a nationwide protests in what is known as “Week of Anger,” accusing the government of ignoring their calls for reform in public healthcare.

In a public announcement on Monday, the Independent Union of Public Sector Doctors (SIMSP) said the strike action would include more walkouts from December 30 to January 5.

The SIMSP said the nationwide strike would affect all public health facilities except emergency and intensive care units to ensure that some level of care remained available.

“During this time, doctors will not be at diagnostic centres and they will also boycott administrative tasks and refuse to issue medical certificates,” the SIMSP said.

The union added that a large march is planned for December 29 in Rabat, aimed at opposing laws on strikes and pensions.

The doctors’ union noted that their demands have been ignored by the Ministry of Health.

The union stated that their requests to government has remained unanswered. It also criticized a new framework for doctors, calling it scandalous as it threatens job security and opens the door to unfair dismissals.

The doctors’ demands include extra grades for doctors beyond the current scale, higher salaries, and an end to limits on promotions.

The union also wants the government to honour agreements made in 2011, 2023, and 2024.

According to the union, the doctors are also upset with the 2025 budget plan, which they say fails to address the health sector’s funding issues, expressing concerned about plans to shift salaries from central budgets to local health groups and warning that this could lead to instability.

The union added that doctors will continue to boycott school health programmes and what they call “improvised” surgical campaigns. They insist on maintaining high medical standards while pushing for change.

Culture

Ghana’s Afua Asantewaa begins second GWR sing-a-thon attempt

Published

4 days ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Ghanaian singer, Afua Asantewaa, on Saturday, began her second attempt at breaking the Guinness World Record (GWR) for the longest singing marathon by an individual.

The sing-a-thon which began in the early hours of Saturday, December 21, at Heroes’ Park, Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, will run until December 25, and will see the determined songstress perform non-stop, focusing exclusively on Ghanaian songs.

According to Asantewaa’s manager, Madam Gladys Osei Owiredu, the audacious initiative is aimed at showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Ghanaian music to a global audience.

Owiredu confirmed that preparations for the event had been extensive but expressed confidence in Asantewaa’s readiness to finally break the record.

“I can confirm that she is ready for the task ahead. It’s been challenging—by way of preparations—but I can say she is ready,” Owiredu said.

Asantewaa’s second attempt follows her first effort in December 2023, which fell short of surpassing the current record of 105 hours held by India’s Sunil Waghmare.

But despite the setback, her team remains optimistic about breaking the record this time with corporate sponsors including International Maritime Hospital, Ghana Gas, Nasco Electronics, and Zoomlion Ghana Limited rallying behind her, underscoring the importance of the attempt in amplifying the global significance of Ghanaian music.