Cote d'Ivoire Hosts Tribute Concert for Papa Wemba

The tribute concert was held in Abidjan.

Congo-Kinshasa: Papa Wemba Begins Final Journey Home

Hundreds of mourners yesterday welcomed the body of Papa Wemba, one Africa's best known singers, back to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

It was flown into the capital, Kinshasa, from Ivory Coast, where he died on Sunday after collapsing on stage in Abidjan.

Ivorian fans attended an all-night concert held in his honour in the city. He is due to be buried on Tuesday after lying in state in a stadium in Kinshasa, on Monday.

After Papa Wemba's coffin left the airport it was taken to a morgue, reports the BBC's Poly Muzalia from Kinshasa.

Papa Wemba, who died at 66, was considered one of Africa's most influential musicians of his generation.

He pioneered modern Congolese soukous music, which spread through the continent.

Many of Africa's top musicians have paid tribute to Papa Wemba, including Cameroon's Manu Dibango, who described him as the "voice of Africa".

Ivory Coast's Culture Minister Maurice Bandaman said at a memorial service before the body left that "an artist never dies... Papa Wemba is dead, and now (he is) even greater than before," reports said.

Meanwhile, the International Committee of the All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA,has described the late singer as "a voice of Africa, an icon of African music and epitome of Africanness.

"His pride and commitment to African music and sense of dressing were part of the narratives of African culture. These are the African narratives we shared and are propagating across the world."

Congo-Kinshasa: President Kabila Offers Plane to Ferry the Body of Papa Wemba

DR Congo President Joseph Kabila has offered a plane to fly back from Cote d'Ivoire to Kinshasa on Thursday the body of Papa Wemba, who collapsed and died at a concert in Abidjan.

In a generous gesture of the recognition of the singer's contribution to the development of Congolese music and the entertainment industry, President Kabila has stepped in to assist the family to defray the expenses.

The aircraft will carry more than 50 people, including Papa Wemba's widow, Mama Marie-Luzolo Amazone, some family members, and his musicians, who were at the festival in Cote d'Ivoire with him.

Speaking to the Daily Nation from Kinshasa on Tuesday, musician Maika Munan said an entourage of top Congolese artistes led by veteran band leader Kiamuangana Mateta Verkys, would travel on the plane to go and collect their compatriot's body.

"We will be accompanied by some government officials and family members," he said.

Papa Wemba's widow is already in Abidjan, having arrived on Monday morning, accompanied by government officials.

FUNERAL PLANS

The body leaves Abdijan for Kinshasa on Thursday afternoon.

There is still no indication as to whether a post-mortem would be performed to ascertain the cause of the sudden death on the stage at the weekend.

Arrangements for public viewing of Wemba's body in Kinshasa and funeral service will be announced by Friday.

Meanwhile, former Wenge Musica singer Adolph Dominguez and some of his colleagues have already composed and recorded a tribute song to mourn their fallen idol.

"Ever since we learnt of his death we have been in the studio working on a special track to be used during the mourning period," the Wenge Tonya Tonya splinter group leader said.

Their fellow countrymen and women based in Europe are also working on tracks and have organised gatherings to pay tribute to Papa Wemba.

They include Paris-based mercurial singer and composer Nyboma Muandido.

Congolese Music Legend, Papa Wemba, Dies After Slumping On Stage

Congolese Music legend, Papa Wemba, died around 9:10 GMT in Abidjan, the Ivory Coast capital, his manager Marie Laure Yaone, has confirmed in a Facebook post.

The Soukous maestro, who was performing with his band at the FEMUA 9 musical concert, slumped on Stage at about 5:30 GMT on Sunday. His dancers and members of the Red Cross could not revive him on stage and subsequently rushed him to a hospital where he later died.

"I do not have the strength to put this information on Facebook," Ms. Yaone wrote in French."

She had published a post of how the musician slumped and was rushed to the hospital.

"Papa Wemba fell on stage at Anoumabo, Abidjan where he was performing at the Legislative Femua festival, organized by the Magic System. There's more scared than hurt. As a manager, I assure you on his state of health and beg you to not put false information.

"He was quickly taken over by the Red Coss and is resting in a hospital in the square. Malongiskin Cornely Malongi who's with him s take care of everything. Thank you Lord for your grace."

However, two hours later she posted a message that heavy with grieve: "You can't do this to us dad, no." with a Facebook emoticon that read: "feeling shocked."

Papa Wemba, whose real name was Jules Wembadio Kikumba, was born on June 14, 1949. He was one Africa's most popular musicians and perhaps the most influential Soukous performer. He was instrumental in making the genre of music popular worldwide.

In February 2003, he was convicted for involvement in the smuggling of illegal immigrants from Democratic Republic of Congo into France. He spent 3 months in prison and was released after paying a fine of €30,000.

Kenya Airways to Dismiss 600 Workers

The rationalisation plan is an attempt to cut down on the airline's running cost.

Pilot Deliberately Crashed Mozambican Plane - Report

A new report has concluded that the pilot, Herminio dos Santos Fernandes, deliberately crashed the plane in Namibia.

Rwandans in Zambia Seek Refuge At Embassy Following Reports of Attacks

Up to 20 Rwandans living in Zambia have approached the Rwandan High Commission in Lusaka for protection after reports suggested they are targets of xenophobic attacks.

According to the Abel Buhungu, the Charge d'Affaires at the High Commission of Rwanda in Zambia, over the last one month, there have been reports of people being killed, but there is confirmation that any of them is Rwandan.

"Since yesterday (Monday), we have heard of two deaths but so far there is no tangible evidence that any is Rwandan," Buhungu said.

He added: "We have, so far, 20 Rwandans taking refuge at the High Commission premises."

According to media reports, the attacks on Rwandans started after rumours linked a Rwandan to ritual murders.

"There have been about eight killings since mid March. Rumours that sparked targeting of Rwandans. They allege a Rwandan had been involved in these ritual murders but Police leadership had indicated it is a rumour that isn't confirmed at all, thus no justification," Buhungu told The New Times.

The attacks also targeted foreign owned shops in the capital Lusaka, but later spread out to other parts of the country where more shops were targeted.

The attacks started Monday morning in two sprawling shanty compounds over rumors that foreigners were behind a spate of suspected ritual killings that have occurred in recent weeks.

Zambia Police Spokesperson Charity Munganga Chanda earlier confirmed the looting of the shops to media.

Suspected ritual killings have reportedly rocked the Zambian capital in recent weeks.

Victims were found with their ears, genitals and hearts removed.

On Sunday, Zambian President Edgar Lungu said four people had been arrested in connection with the brutal ritual killings.