Lapiro de Mbanga

Update April 2011

At 2pm, Friday 8 April 2011, the winner of the 2009 Freedom to Create Imprisoned Artist Prize, Lapiro de Mbanga, was released from prison in Cameroon after three years imprisonment under harsh conditions.

Immediately after his release on Friday there was confusion amongst local media. Media and friends of Lapiro had prepared to greet the singer at his scheduled release, due Saturday morning. A spokesman for New Bell Prison had told a reporter that Lapiro de Mbanga was simply being transferred on the Friday to a prison in Lapiro’s home town.

Lapiro confirmed his early release in a phone call to human rights organisation, Freemuse, at 16:10 pm on Friday. Commenting on his release, Lapiro said:
“I have two news for you. A good one and a bad one. Which one do you want to hear? The bad one is that I will not released tomorrow. The good news is that I’m already out of prison now,” followed by a big laugh.

Lapiro de Mbanga was imprisoned three years ago for his song ‘Constipated Constitution’, which is critical of the current President Biya of Cameroon. Lapiro was awarded the Freedom to Create Imprisoned Artist Prize in 2009 for his courage, and only received his trophy this year when campaigners for his release visited him in on Music Freedom Day, 3 March 2011. Lapiro’s case has been followed internationally and last year a petition was made to the UN for arbitrary detention.

Update March 2011

On 3 March 2011, Cameroonian musician Lapiro de Mbanga, winner of the 2009 Freedom to Create Imprisoned Artist Prize who has been in prison for almost three years, was presented with his much awaited trophy. Lapiro was able to spend one day outside the prison as he went to court in his home town Mbanga. Observers of the trial were able to present the trophy to Lapiro and continue to press for his release.

Update February 2010

The Freedom to Create Award has been of immense help to Lapiro and his family. It supports the family's livelihood while Lapiro is in prison, covering school fees for his children and has enabled his wife to travel the long way to visit Lapiro in prison several times. And not least, Lapiro feels stronger and has gained hope for the future. Freemuse stays in weekly phone contact with Lapiro and the campaign for fair treatment in prison and Lapiro's eventual release continues. On Music Freedom Day, 3 March 2010, a joint petition for the release of Lapiro will be handed over to the Embassy of Cameroon in Paris. Freedom Now, a US based law firm has taken up the case for Lapiro and it is our hope that he will get out of prison soon.

The CD 'Listen to the Banned', released on Music Freedom Day, includes Lapiros controversial song Constitution Constipée.

Instigated in 2007, Music Freedom Day has grown into a global event which inspires increasing numbers of musicians and concert organisers to join, and inform millions of radio listeners about issues of freedom of expression for musicians. Concerts and seminars take place in Amman, Cairo, Mumbai, Gdansk, New York and other places.

Awarded in November 2009

Early in 2008, angered by high living costs and a constitutional change that would allow the president to stay in power indefinitely, people in Cameroon took to the streets. Amid nationwide strikes and mass demonstrations, popular singer Lapiro de Mbanga, who had demanded that the president resign, was arrested and charged with inciting youth unrest. In September he was jailed for three years.

In 2009, fresh charges were brought against him and he faces another trial. The government claimed that Lapiro's song Constitution Constipée had incited employees to destroy a banana plantation in his home town. They held him financially responsible for the damage, estimated at US$ 450,000. The trial will take place against a background of massive international criticism of the Cameroonian regime. In this year, Amnesty International published a report that accused the government of gross human rights violations.

Lapiro has become a symbol of peaceful resistance to the erosion of democracy in Cameroon, but has paid a big price: imprisonment, deteriorating health and financial bankruptcy. The song, Constitution Constipée, expresses Lapiro's and many fellow Cameroonians' strong objections to the constitutional amendment which will allow President Biya to stay in power after 2011. Previously the mandate was limited to two seven-year terms.

Constitution Constipée uses seemingly innocuous language, which carries a satirical meaning. At first, it sounds like any other song in the lively soukous dance tradition, popular throughout Africa. In fact the genre is used by many artists to convey social and political messages. The song calls on the president to step down, but subtly. One lyric translates: The head of state is caught in the trap of networks that oblige him to stay in power even though he is tired, Free Big Katika! (President Biyas nickname). The song was banned in Cameroon, but Lapiro's popularity meant that it was distributed unofficially. He has no international distributor, but the song continues to circulate outside the country among Cameroonians who copy it privately.

For nearly 20 years Lapiro has used the power of popular music to campaign for social reform. Freemuse, the campaigning forum which nominated Lapiro for the Prize says: His rustic wisdom has provided a cultural prism through which Cameroonians have interpreted and commented on political behaviour. His songs constitute a cultural megaphone by which the disenfranchised and politically endangered can vicariously exercise free speech.

Political opposition is not tolerated in Cameroon, says Amnesty. Any dissent is suppressed through either violence or abuse of the legal system. Freemuse says: The song gave voice to the frustrations of people in Cameroon. They believe that their Constitution has been hijacked. The song says it all. Lapiro has been punished for his eloquence and influence, and unfortunately his popularity and respect among his fans has been his undoing.

Lapiro is married and the father of five children. As well as his prison sentence, he was fined Central African francs 280 million (US$ 600,000), which not surprisingly his family cannot pay. They face severe hardship. Prison is six hours away from his home by bus, so his wife only visits once a week. Lapiro's health has deteriorated. Sharing a cell with 50 others, he is not allowed to exercise. There is insufficient food and the sanitary conditions are appalling. The artist will appeal against his sentence, but international observers believe he will fail.

Freedom to Create is incredibly grateful for the support, partnership, guidance and encouragement that we have received from our amazing supporters, artists, participants, judges and other organisations since we began in 2006. We have made the difficult decision to suspend Freedom to Create's Prize and Exhibitions from 31 December 2011 for a period of strategic evaluation. Thank you for your support and wishing you courage and creativity in all that you do.

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