Koffi Olomide’s concert continues to spark controversy among music lovers and women’s rights activists who do not want the artist to perform in concert o Rwandan territory as he is allegedly accused of violence against women.
Koffi Olomide, who is expected to sing in Kigali on December 4, 2021, is still embroiled in controversy among entertainment fans, with a number of those still insisting that his concert should be canceled.
Some of the reasons why Koffi Olomide’s concert debate were the charges against the singer, who had previously been accused of raping and violating and abusing women, who used to be his singers and dancers.
There are also allegations that he had sex with underage girls, although he said he did not know they were underage.
Last month, Koffi Olomide accusers prayed for him eight years in prison at the Versailles Court of Appeal in Paris.
One of the users of the social media site called for the show to be postponed because as in Rwanda it gives the wrong word to women and gives the wrong word to the victim.
Rudatsimburwa Albert also said that a country like Rwanda which is remarkable for promoting women’s rights should not admit this artist who is being prosecuted for violence against women.
” I hope this concert will be cancelled. It will tarnish our image, We have to defend our values. After the Kinshasa meeting (which focused on the role of men in combating violence against women), how can we welcome one of the suspects perpetrators of violence against women?”
What does the law say?
Mr Bayisabe Irene, who is a well-known in Rwanda’s most similar cases, said that legally, nothing should prevent Koffi Olomide to perform in Rwanda.
“Under Article 11 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which Rwanda has signed, they declare that anyone is innocent unless convicted by a court of law in a fair and equitable tribunal,” he said.”
Based on this point, Mr. Bayisabe finds that there is nothing preventing Koffi Olomide from performing in Kigali as there has been no court order preventing him from performing his duties or requiring his arrest.
All of this continues as the preparations for the Koffi Olomide concert goes on.y, so far tickets have been put on the market where they are being bought from 10,000 Frw in normal positions, 30.000Frw in honorary positions, and 50.000Frw in VVIP.
Appart from Koffi Olomide, who has already been confirmed to perform in the show, Yvan Buravan has been added as a Rwandan artist and will be collaborating despite some information on the ground that there are others who are still in talks with the organizers of the show, such as trap rapper, Ish Kevin, among others.
By MUHIRE Désiré
