Ambassadors seek justice for owners of bombed music studio in Burkina Faso

Artwatch Africa’s Ambassadors for Creative Expressions have condemned the attack on Studio Abazon, which belongs to Burkinabe rapper and revolutionary artiste, Serges Martin Bambara aka Smokey.

The violation ensued in the morning hours of Thursday September 17, 2015 in the Burkina Faso capital Ouagadougou.

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According to reports, the attack was carried out by members of the RSP, otherwise known as the ‘Presidential Guard,’ led by General Gilbert Diendere, the leader of the military junta that seized power in the country

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Studio Abazon, was rocket-bombed by members of the RSP according to rights activists in the city. It was disclosed that the studio, which was a hub for young and aspiring musicians in Ouga, was damaged beyond repair.

Smokey happens to be the leader of a popular socio-political movement called “Balai Citoyen” (The Citizens’ Broom). The actions of this movement led the revolt against the dictatorial actions of former President Blaise Compraore, which caused the former leader to relinquish his post and flee the country on October 31, 2014.

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In March 2015, Smokey played host to eleven other top musicians from eight African countries, who are known as the Ambassadors for Creative Expressions under Artwatch Africa. Their single ‘.

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Two of the ambassadors, Nigeria’s Ade Bantu and Senegalese Didier Awadi, spoke against the bombing of the studio. They said the bombing reaffirm the fact that artistes’ life is not secured in many parts of the continent.

They urged the Economic Community of West Africa, the African Union and the United Nations to make necessary intervention to ensure that the attackers of Smokey’s Abazon studio are brought to justice.

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