Seun Kuti cancels Jazzablanca Fest performance to mourn dead immigrants at Spanish Border

Afrobeat royalty, Seun Anikulapo-Kuti, has cancelled his performance with his Egypt 80 Band, slated for today at the Jazzablanca Festival, in Morocco, to mourn the hundreds of immigrant hopefuls who died recently trying to cross the Melila Border from Morocco into Spain. 

Recall that five Africans were reported dead, while 76 others were fatally injured, as over 2000 people tried migrating into Spain from Morocco through Melilla’s border. While Spanish authorities have tried to defend the actions of the Spaniard and Moroccan law enforcement agents in repelling the migrants, several civil society organisations and political stakeholders across Africa have condemned the situation, calling for a robust investigation into the deaths. 

In a statement signed by his spokesperson, Ayo Ogedengbe, Seun Kuti announced that he and his band would resume performances at the Marazzano Music Festival in Catania, Italy, from tomorrow, in continuation of their European tour. The musician is also slated for a tour around the United States, later this month.