Fally Ipupa’s Humanitarian Concert in Goma Sends Powerful Message of Support and Comfort
In a powerful display of solidarity, Congolese rumba star Fally Ipupa performed a humanitarian concert in Goma, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, on Thursday. The event aimed to bring the community together and raise awareness of humanitarian issues in the region, which has been plagued by conflict and violence.
Speaking to thousands of music fans, Ipupa sent a message of support and comfort to the victims of the war, saying, “Our thoughts are with all our brothers, our mothers, our children who are being raped, massacred everywhere. Here, we are together.” His powerful words resonated against a backdrop of tension and violence in the region.
The concert was organized under the slogan “A candle for each life unjustly snatched” and aimed to bring the community together to raise awareness of humanitarian issues. Organiser Francine Kaboya said, “The people are proving their resilience by turning out in droves for these kinds of events. Especially as it’s a pop star, it sends out a great message to the whole world: Goma needs to live, Goma needs to breathe.”
The event also highlighted the importance of music and culture as vectors of peace and hope in difficult times. Fighting between the Congolese army and the M23 rebels has led to massive population displacements, exacerbating the precarious humanitarian situation in the region.
One attendee, Jacques Kyanga, told Africanews that he thought the event was worth organizing, saying, “I think that with all the influence Fally Ipupa has, when he launches a message, people are listening. At my level, I think I’m satisfied with that.” He added, “And those who have to manage other things in relation to what’s happening in the east of the DRC, everyone has to play their part. His, it’s singing, it’s guiding minds, it’s making sure that everything goes well.”
However, some fans were left disappointed after the second concert, scheduled for Friday evening, was cancelled due to security reasons. One fan, Moïse Hangi, said, “We’re disappointed, we’re unhappy about the cancellation of the show. We’ve been waiting since two in the afternoon and now it’s eight in the evening and he still hasn’t turned up.”
Ipupa’s concert in the east of the DRC comes after his recent tour of Europe, where he played to large audiences. He is due to continue his tour in the region, performing on Saturday and Sunday in Bukavu in the province of South Kivu.
The event was a powerful reminder of the impact that music and culture can have in bringing people together and promoting peace and hope in the face of adversity.
