Recognising Papa Wemba’s popularity, he will bring a new voice to the dangers of mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO), and as a respected member of the music industry, it is hoped that his influence will place additional pressure on those responsible to further the progress toward a world free from the threats caused by mines and UXO.

Papa Wemba with his band advertising MRE t-shirts sold at the concert. All proceeds will be used to produce more t-shirts to then be donated to beneficiaries nationwide

The guest speaker of the evening, UNICEF Deputy Representative, Herve Peries, emphasised the importance of continued international support for the Ottawa Treaty 10 years after its original ratification. “Unicef is proud to work with MAG to increase the capacities of actors in the area of mine risk education and the struggle against mines, thus helping to protect the population from this threat…and congratulates Papa Wemba for being nominated Ambassador Against Mines.”

Daniel Sissling presents the investiture gift

During the concert, Papa Wemba performed his hit song “Show me the Way” which is being utilized for the MRE campaign to reinforce the positive message to always ask for information about the routes and areas which are regularly used by communities and identified as safe. As highlighted by Daniel Sissling, MAG DRC Country Programme Manager: “Of particular menace in DRC are the explosive remnants of war- specifically unexploded ordnance. Littered across the country are rocket propelled grenades, mortars and artillery shells, threatening communities and preventing the normality of life which many of us take for granted.” He went on to reinforce that “Many people do not know of the dangers which lurk close to their homes or beneath the surface of the field which they work to grow crops for their families. However, through educational campaigns, marking and clearance of the dangers, each day is one day closer to a mine free world and each item removed or destroyed is a life or limb saved.”

Papa Wemba was presented with a lamp, which was fabricated from a 75mm recoilless round casing and rocket propelled grenade that were rendered safe by MAG technicians. Project Manager, Anna Kilkenny, expressed that this token symbolised that Papa Wemba will be lighting the way from danger to safety by disseminating risk reduction messages to communities that are living or returning to areas affected by conflict. Addressing the media, Papa Wemba noted the importance of promoting awareness messages which help to dispel misinformation, based on his own recent experiences whilst visiting MAG’s projects in Equateur province, where the unsafe practice of disposing of UXO into the Congo River is common. “The Children are naïve, they do not know of the dangers of touching [UXO] and that it is not safe to throw them into the river.” He concluded by expressing his confidence in MAG’s project to help educate local populations on the risks of UXO and other remnants of conflict will facilitate the country's peace-building process.