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A women-led music festival pushes for peace in Congo’s conflict-ridden eastern region
Nearly 3,000 attendees joined the seventh annual festival to fight gender violence, promote women's artistic talents, and foster peace in a conflict-affected city, organizers said.
- On Sunday, nearly 3,000 people attended the closing of 'Musika na Kipaji' in Goma, an all-female festival aimed at campaigning against gender-based violence and showcasing women's talent in music and dance.
- Residents have lived under Rwanda-backed M23 rebel rule since January 2025, with Goma hosting 700,000 displaced people amid one of Africa's longest humanitarian crises spanning three decades.
- Congolese rapper Clem Cléopâtre, 23, headlined the final day with lyrics about social cohesion and peace, telling attendees: "I encourage young people not to feel alone, especially women, because they are often forgotten."
- Festival organizer Esther Abumba stated the event uses art as a 'weapon of peace' to mobilize non-violent action, arguing that traditional war efforts have failed the region.
- Attendee Jean Luc Maroy noted the event provided a rare space to express frustration and rebuild social bonds, offering a brief respite from the region's ongoing instability.
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Plateruena Musika Aterpea de Durango hosted last Saturday the final gala of the VIII Feminist Song Contest. One more year, the consolidated appointment reunited local musical talent around equality.
Coverage Details
Total News Sources11
Leaning Left4Leaning Right1Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Center
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources are Center
50% Center
L 40%
C 50%
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