Muthomi Ireri
Musician Fally Ipupa held a humanitarian concert in Goma, located in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, on Thursday. The event drew thousands of music fans and provided a platform for the Congolese rumba star to deliver a heartfelt message of support and comfort to the victims of the ongoing conflict in the area.
Addressing the crowd, Fally Ipupa expressed deep solidarity with those suffering due to the violence in the region. “Our thoughts are with all our brothers, our mothers, our children who are being raped, massacred everywhere. Here, we are together,” he declared, his words resonating powerfully against the backdrop of the tension and violence in eastern DRC.
The concert served as a strong statement of unity and peace, particularly for those affected by the conflict in North Kivu province. The crowd warmly received Fally Ipupa’s call for peace, highlighting the vital role that music and culture play as instruments of hope and reconciliation during challenging times.
Organized under the theme “A candle for each life unjustly snatched,” the event aimed to foster community solidarity and raise awareness of the severe humanitarian issues plaguing the region. Francine Kaboya, one of the event’s organizers, emphasized the significance of such gatherings, stating, “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 conflict between the Congolese army and M23 rebels has led to widespread displacement and a worsening humanitarian crisis in the region. Jacques Kyanga, a young man in attendance, expressed his approval of the concert’s focus on the humanitarian situation, 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. 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.”
Despite the success of the first concert, there was disappointment among fans when a second concert, scheduled for Friday evening, was canceled due to security concerns. Moïse Hangi, a disappointed fan, expressed his frustration, saying, “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.”
Fally Ipupa’s concert in Goma followed his successful European tour, where he performed for large audiences. He was set to continue his tour in the region with performances scheduled for Saturday and Sunday in Bukavu, located in the province of South Kivu.
Dj Vnyash
