FILE PHOTO: Revellers attend the 9th edition of the AMANI festival with the aim of conveying messages of peace, entrepreneurship and environmental protection at the Athenee d'Ibanda in Bukavu, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo February 10, 2023. REUTERS/Crispin Kyalangalilwa
Artists from across Africa performed at the "Amani" festival in eastern Democratic Republic to show support for victims of conflict despite growing insecurity in the area.
The audience clapped, cheered and sang along to more than 20 acts including Senegalese rap star Didier Awadi.
FILE PHOTO: Congolese members of a charitable associations attend the 9th edition of the AMANI festival with the aim of conveying messages of peace, entrepreneurship and environmental protection at the Athenee d'Ibanda in Bukavu, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo February 10, 2023. REUTERS/Crispin Kyalangalilwa BEST QUALITY AVAILABLE
"Our mission is to be there with you," he told a jubilant crowd in the city of Bukavu during the event.
"We have a duty to show solidarity, to be there on the side of the attacked people," Awadi told Reuters after the show.
The Amani festival, which means "peace" in Swahili, usually takes place in Goma, capital of North Kivu province.
FILE PHOTO: Congolese members of Lutte Pour Le Changement (LUCHA) activism group pose for a photograph as they attend the 9th edition of the AMANI festival with the aim of conveying messages of peace, entrepreneurship and environmental protection at the Athenee d'Ibanda in Bukavu, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo February 10, 2023. REUTERS/Crispin Kyalangalilwa
But it was moved for the first time since its launch in 2014 due to an M23 rebel offensive that drew close to the city last week.
Bukavu is the capital of South Kivu province, deemed relatively safer despite the presence of several armed groups.
More than 30,000 people attended the festival, which ran from Friday to Sunday.
FILE PHOTO: Congolese artist la Reine Saidathe performs at the 9th edition of the AMANI festival with the aim of conveying messages of peace, entrepreneurship and environmental protection at the Athenee d'Ibanda in Bukavu, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo February 12, 2023. REUTERS/Crispin Kyalangalilwa BEST QUALITY AVAILABLE
Several artists from Bukavu took part. Singer Reine Saidhate performed a Mutuashi dance, also known as the dance of freedom.
"As musicians, we don't have the tools to help these mothers who are suffering from the war. But we pass on our message through our songs," she said.
(Reporting by Crispin Kyalangalilwa; Writing by Sonia Rolley; Editing by Sofia Christensen and Alison Williams)
FILE PHOTO: Revellers attend the 9th edition of the AMANI festival with the aim of conveying messages of peace, entrepreneurship and environmental protection at the Athenee d'Ibanda in Bukavu, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo February 12, 2023. REUTERS/Crispin Kyalangalilwa
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