Local musicians feeling sidelined after CPA event in Yambio

One day after the euphoria which galvanized the CPA celebration across Southern Sudan, local artists in Western Equatoria State have expressed anger and dismay with the state organizers of the memorable CPA celebration in 2010.

The fifth and probably the last CPA celebrations took place in Yambio, the capital of Western Equatoria State on 19th January 2010. Independent observers say there was alot of expectations from the state’s local artists but the expectations turned into disappointment as none of the artists from Western Equatoria State were invited or given a chance to perform.  Some of them had been practicing for months with the hope that they would be part of the celebrations.

Artists in South Sudan some of which did not
feel respected by the CPA celebrations

Unfair

Very unfair indeed – said some of the artists, “At least we need recognitions from our state government and the efforts [we] are doing by creating awareness about the CPA, Elections and HIV through [our] songs”; added one of the local artists Ms. Sweet J.

“I made a lot of arrangements in preparation for the celebrations and recorded a lot of music hoping that I will perform and sell some of my records, but now I am just giving them away to people for free” Sweet J stated.

“Our colleagues from Upper Nile and Central Equatoria states who were invited to perform in Nzara felt sorry for us and asked us to join them as we were bored” said Ambassador Koko one of the local Yambio artists.

Western Equatoria Expert Mr. Justin Wannis observes that, Congolese Music Legend, Kanda Bongo man from neighboring DRC was also allowed to perform at the CPA celebrations in Yambio for the sum of $20,000 an amount that could help the local artist to develop.

He disclosed to me that Kanda Bongo man sympathized with the local musicians and took some of the local artists with him inside the stadium to perform so that they can learn or benefit from his skills but then the artists were sent out by the organizers.  Wannis asks that, “when is the state going to recognize the talents of its own sons/daughters?”  “This event could have exposed the local artists to the outside states and encourage them to develop speedily but the organizers decided against this, said one of the artists who requested anonymity.

Sudan Votes contacted  the CPA organizers, the state High Level Committee for the 5th anniversary. Deputy Governor Col Joseph Ngere who heads the State High Level Committee vehemently denied the complain filed by the WES local artists. He says that, the local musicians were put on the list to perform after Kanda Bongo Man, adding that he and State Governor had left when Bongo was still happening, after that he did not know what happened.

Emmy Y one of the local musicians that was
sidelined in the CPA anniversary event in Yambio

Deputy Governor further revealed that, “after receiving complaints from the local artists he facilitated the musicians logistical for their bid to perform,” however Sudan Votes could not verify this claim independently.

Tutu Phina one of the local rocking artists alleged that, “there was something fishy concerning the humiliation they (WES Musicians) have experienced from their own government, adding that, “in fact Mr. Journalist, I don’t know which term I can use to express and describe the ordeal and [our] disappointments as WES musicians.  Our songs were barred over the FM radio in hours leading to the CPA celebration.”

Local observers say, the latest complain from the host musicians is one of many complains coming from the civilians, the intended beneficiaries, who had hoped to benefit from the multi million event, many civilians were encouraged by the state government to lay bricks, but to their surprise most of the construction works for the CPA were done using imported concrete bricks from Juba leaving most of WES young men in dilemma and mistrust against the state government.

Musicians warn that, such maltreatment may impede the young music industry in the Western Equatorial state and hinder the economic growth of local artists.

66 million Sudanese Pounds was allocated and approved for the 5th CPA event; the state is yet to account to the masses or to Sudanvotes how the money has been spent.  We wait for their response.