Paris, April 24th, 2025 (CPA) – The “Solidarité Congo” charity concert held on Wednesday at the Accor Arena in Paris, France, was transformed into an international cultural front by Congolese stars, with the aim of mobilizing worldwide support for child victims of armed conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. “The Congo has a population of over one hundred million, of which nearly 20 million live in Kinshasa, with millions more scattered around the world. This event for the greater Congo constitutes a solid cultural front that will extend internationally to support the child victims of the unjust war that has lasted too long in the DRC,” declared Congolese star Ghandi Djuna alias Maître Gims, on stage at Accor Aréna in Paris.
Artists express their views on the worrying situation in the DRC. (Photo Droits tiers)
“We need to multiply this kind of action throughout Belgium, America and Canada to make our country’s voice heard around the world. Thank you so much for coming out to support this charitable project. The series continues…” he added at the end of the concert. Long before, his biological brother, rapper Prince DadjuDjuna, also reiterated the same message for peace in the DRC during his performance. “You are part of the success of this Congo solidarity concert. Your presence testifies to your love and greatness for the DRC”, he said. On his behalf, the DRC singer Fally Ipupa, who once again set the hall alight, launched a message of unity to guarantee the country’s territorial integrity. “Congo will remain one and indivisible. All against war”, hammered the Kinshasa star. The event was also attended by the famous Congolese pastor and gospel singer Moïse Mbiye, who gave a masterly performance with his hymns and his speech for the country., declared Moïse Mbiye alias ‘La réserve de l’Eternel’( The Eternal reserve). “Let’s also support the “Fonarev” in the DRC (National Fund for Reparations of Victims of Conflict-related Sexual Violence and Crimes against Peace and the Security of Mankind)”, he added. Starting at 10 pm (GMT) and ending at 1 am, the evening was launched at 10 pm (GMT) by Didiston Olomide, top model of the Congolese diaspora in Europe and daughter of DRC singer Koffi Olomide, who gave the quintessence of the event in her speech. “It’s more than a concert; it’s a historic moment that will go down in history. We’ll remember it. It’s a moment of awakening, of awareness. We’re here to make our voice heard. We are here to make ourselves heard. We can no longer be silent. We must denounce what is happening in the Congo”, she declared as the evening’s presenter.
African stars remember the cause of the DRC
Other big names on the African music scene, who have been making a name for themselves in France and across the continent, also took to the catwalk, each presenting their own show. Malian music legend Sidiki Diabate took to the stage first, wowing the audience with a melody to the tune of “Debout Congo”(Stand up Congo), the emblematic national anthem of the DRC. “We don’t need war, we just need peace in the DRC”, said Sidiki Diabate.
Support for the initiative from the African diaspora community
Greatly impressed by the evening, the African community from various French cities expressed their appreciation of the initiative.
Rapper Prince Dadju Djuna. Photo Droits tiers
“The Congo’s cause is close to my heart. The idea is to support the Congo on an international scale. I was pleasantly surprised by the concept, because I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s very interesting. Doing a concert with French-speaking and Congolese artists for a charitable cause is great”, declared Carla Laitchais, a twenty-something Cameroonian who made the trip to Accor Aréna. She continued: “I loved the music of all the artists who were selected to play at this memorable event. I’m very pleased with the initiative, as it’s a way of supporting children who are victims of conflict in the DRC. My message is to stop the war…”. For their part, Congolese youth in France have also been impressed by this project in support of the victims of Rwandan aggression in the DRC. “I’m a Congolese woman born in Kinshasa. The war situation in Eastern DRC affects everyone. Why not me in particular, as a native of the country. I’d like things to change. I welcome the initiative taken by musical artists to support the country’s children,” says Rory Kabongo, a young Congolese from the diaspora living in Amiens, France. Beyond the shows, each artist had a special message for the situation in the East. The Congolese also have the right to a life free of violence, just like any other human being in the world”, hammered the CONAREV representative in the hall. A video featuring the testimonies of women survivors of sexual violence in the war in the East was shown to the audience. In these horrific images, a special tribute was paid to the millions of dead and displaced populations.