French envoy asks Zambia to arrest Congolese music star Koffi Olomide

The French embassy in Zambia has asked the local authorities to arrest Congolese rhumba star Koffi Olomide for various allegations. COURTESY PHOTO

What you need to know:

  • Following the appeal, Zambian media quoted Religious Affairs minister Godfridah Sumaili saying the singer would be arrested upon arrival.
  • But even at home, Koffi Olomide is never far from controversies.

The French embassy in Zambia has asked the local authorities to arrest Congolese rhumba star Koffi Olomide for various allegations.
Following the appeal, Zambian media quoted Religious Affairs minister Godfridah Sumaili saying the singer would be arrested upon arrival.
Olomide, a regular feature in Zambia, was due to hold two shows this month.
French ambassador Sylvain Berger said Olomide was facing a number of charges both in Zambia and France.

The Congolese rhumba maestro is wanted on suspicion of sexually assaulting dancers, kidnapping and employing them in France without permit and facilitating their entry and illegal stay.
It is not the first time Olomide was finding himself in the eye of a storm in Zambia. He in January 2013 assaulted a Zambian photojournalist and had to flee across the border to avoid arrest.
He later apologised to the Zambian journalist.
Mapao, as his fans fondly refer to him, was infamously deported from Kenya in July 2016 for kicking one of his dancers at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

The musician spent the night at police cells at the airport before being deported to Kinshasa where he was charged with crime and jailed for 18 months. He was, however, released on bail after five days.
Olomide apologised to Kenyans for his behaviour.

But even at home, Koffi Olomide is never far from controversies. He was in August 2012 given a three-month suspended prison sentence for assaulting his producer. The sentence followed his arrest after fracas at a hotel in Kinshasa.
Earlier in 2001, security personnel in Kinshasa dragged Koffi out of his Mercedes Benz Compressor and frog-marched in public after he had defied being flagged down.