Two renowned musicians, Lapiro de Mbanga and Joe La Conscience, have been arrested and detained by the authorities in Cameroon for singing songs in which they criticized the recent controversial constitutional amendments, which allows the president unlimited terms of office.

The two were arrested respectively on 9 April and 20 March 2008.

The award-winning singer Lapiro de Mbanga (real name: Pierre Roger Lambo Sandjo), who is also a known member of the opposition party Social Democratic Front (SDF), was summoned and subsequently arrested by the gendarmerie of Mbanga City. According to sources in Cameroon the 51-year-old Makossa singer was accused of instigating the mass demonstrations against high cost of living which took place at the end of February.

The sources report that Mbanga’s arrest was linked to a song he wrote entitled ‘Constipated Constitution’ which warns president Paul Biya of the dangers the amendments could create.

Six months in prison
Joe La Conscience, who also wrote a song condemning the amendments of the constitution, was convicted to six months imprisonment for an alleged illegal demonstration.

When prevented to carry through a march he had planned against the amendments, Joe La Conscience arranged a sit-in at the US Embassy in the capital Yaoundé. This was deemed unlawful by the Cameroon authorities who subsequently arrested Joe La Conscience.

Immunity to the president
The Constitutional Amendment Bill was adopted by the National Assembly in Cameroon on 10 April 2008. The amendment allows an unlimited number of presidential mandates, which according to critics empowers president Paul Biya to continue to rule for life.

The amendments also grant immunity to the president for any acts committed by him during his time in office. The Network of African Freedom of Expression Organizations (NAFEO) is deeply concerned about the repression of artistic expression in particular and free expression generally in Cameroon. The network urges the Cameroon authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Lapiro de Mbanga and Joe La Conscience.

Professor Kwame Karikari, who is executive director of Media Foundation for West Africa (Fondation des Médias pour l'Afrique de l'Ouest), encourages supporters of free expression to send letters of protest and demands of the release of the two musicians to the nearest Cameroonian embassy.

Embassy of Cameroon in USA:
Fax (202)387-3826
E-mail: cdm [AT] ambacam-usa.org

Embassy of Cameroon in France:
Fax : +33 1 46 51 24 52

Embassy of Cameroon in Belgium:
Fax: +32 (0) 2 345 18 70
E-mail: embassy [AT] cameroon.be

Professor Kwame Karikari, executive director of Media Foundation for West Africa, can be reached at tel: 233 21 242470 - fax: 233 21 221084
E-mail : mfwa [AT] africaonline.com.gh

For further information, contact Jeannette Quarcoopome, Media Foundation for West Africa, 30 Duade Street, Kokomlemle, P.O. Box LG 730, Legon, Ghana, tel: +233 21 2424 70, fax: +233 21 2210 84, e-mail: events [AT] mediafound.org, Internet: mediafound.org

The information contained in this news article is the sole responsibility of Media Foundation for West Africa. In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit Media Foundation for West Africa.

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About Lapiro de Mbanga

Lapiro de Mbanga – also known as Ndinga Man ['guitar man'] – is known for his satiric and critical lyrics. Since the 1980s, he has often criticised politicians and addressed social and economical injustice in Cameroun.

Lapiro de Mbanga's biggest success came with his album ‘No Make Erreur’ which features Naimro from Kassav, Toto Guillaume and Jimmy Cliff. Singing mainly in pidgin, a West African creol language, he was able to reach a broad audience in all social layers of society, especially the young urban unemployed: the street sellers and taxi drivers.

At the culmination of Cameroun's political crisis in 1991, Lapiro de Mbanga's was accused of being "bought" by the ruling party. His club in the town of Mbanga and his car were put into fire, and a concert turned into a riot. He suddenly lost his support from his fans. In 1993, he returned with a new album, ‘Ndinga Man contre-attaque’ ['The guitar man strikes back'].