News

Malian star calls for protection of Tanzanian albinos

By In-house East Africa

27 Aug 2015 - 07:16

As rights groups continue to warn of the rise in attacks against albinos in Tanzania, African music legend Salif Keita has called for people with albinism to be protected. There are fears over a rise in 'witchcraft' attacks as Tanzania begins campaigning for the general elections scheduled for October 2015.

“It is completely unacceptable for humans to sacrifice other human beings, it comes from ignorance,” the Malian musician, himself an albino, told AFP in an interview during a recent visit to East Africa.

Keita said he hoped that by speaking out, and by playing his music, he could send a message to stop the attacks, which often target children. He is set to perform on 29 August at the Safaricom Jazz Festival happening at the Bomas of Kenya in Nairobi. Also featured at the Jazz concert will be James Gogo and the Gogosimo band. The Jazz festival was launched in 2014.

In 2014, Keita graced Kenya’s self-styled ‘Genge Godfather’ Nonini’s campaign, dubbed ColourKwaFace, that sought to collect and distribute sunscreen lotion to people living with albinism.

“I am proud to be an albino and I am proud to be who I am,” added Keita, who runs a campaign to support people with albinism.