By Jen Bell, Freemuse's correspondent in Cameroon in the Appeal Court of Bonanjo in Douala (Originally published on Freemuse)
Lapiro de Mbanga was interviewed just a few hours before the verdict of three years imprisonment and a fine of FCFA 280 millions was confirmed at a court hearing on 24 June 2009 in Douala.
Freemuse: How do you feel?
Lapiro de Mbanga: “I feel like I did on the first day. I continue to ask myself what I am doing here. I don’t know why they have caught me. I don’t know why I am condemned. I am an observer of my own story, to tell you the truth. I don’t reproach myself for anything. I am calm, I feel serene. I leave it up to Justice to do her job. That is all.”
What has these proceedings cost you since the beginning?
“Nothing! But these proceedings have a negative impact on the nation in the eyes of the international community. This is not Lapiro’s trial. It is the trial of the voiceless. Many people have been condemned for the February 2008 event, and their judgements have not been covered by media. These proceedings will set a precedent. Magistrates and students of law will use it as a study case in schools and in their works for obtaining Masters or Doctorate and any other diploma. It is God who is using me for the history of my country and I feel proud. I am happy for it. ”
Talking of God, in one of your hearings, some women came to the court saying that they were sent by God to free you. What is your relationship with them?
“I have no business with those women. After their first intrusion to the Court, I was obliged to hide myself inside the prison to avoid meeting them and allow people making any relationship with them. Because when you have an opponent who is a ghost, he can take all sizes. So, I have to hide in order to not become confused. Unfortunately, one day that I was outside to meet one of my visitors, somebody showed me the women, saying that “these are women in prison because of you”. It was that day I saw them for the first time, and it was that same day they were jailed. What I can say is that this is God’s works. Nobody can explain it. How many people have being jailed anonymously? You want me to talk about me? It is not possible. This is not Lapiro’s case. I am a spirit used by God and nothing else. Some people before me went till the supreme sacrifice. Maybe one day, there will be a monument in memory of Lapiro de Mbanga.”
Can we say that prison has weakened you?
“With what? (laughter). With what? (laughter). Prison had obliged me to rest. I am doing a liberal job where if I stop working, I will have nothing to eat and it will be difficult for me and my family. For that reason, I am obliged to run up and down, travel to United States of America, Europe… give concerts everywhere and do small jobs to feed my small family. Maybe you don’t know that I have started playing music in 1976. 33 years today that I did not rest. Am I looking like somebody who is weak? My wife finds me more charming (laughter). She is the one telling it to me.”
How about your musical inspiration? Can we say that you have become inspirited while in prison?
“Listen! Music is my job. I am a singer who develops thematics. Even if it is not in music, when I have some thing in mind, I write it somewhere and keep it. I am a creator of spirit work, and it comes from God. I can only accept what comes from him. Songs, we will have always. But I will not sing anything. I am talking about songs that will be forgotten very soon. I am a singer with his characteristics. A particular African singer. I am not a singer like Georges Brassen, the French singer. What I have to say to my fans is that they should be calm. Lapiro sings and he will always sing. Now, if I lost my voice because in prison I eat “contchaf” everyday, “contchaf” is maize and beans mixed with palm oil meal, I have children in this country and everybody knows they are growing. They will continue singing. Music is a job that one learns once in life. I know all my chords and for that reason, it is difficult for me to forget to sing and play.”
Does Lapiro continue to be popular even while in prison?
“I don’t see it like that. I condemn those who are proud on God's gift. I did nothing to be popular. So I cannot be proud of it. It is a God-given gift. Who knows, maybe tomorrow I will not to be popular again. I give thanks to God and leave him continuing using me as he would like in order to increase this gift.
One can ask why I am talking a lot about God. Rest assured, I am not yet a pastor. What I say is that we have to praise he who gives the breath, he who gives life and who makes me do many things. I am not a member of any church, but I read a lot in the Bible. In the Gospels according to St John, St Matthew and others, it is about the relationship between God and those people. Lapiro also has his story with his God. I adore what God does for me. That is what I am trying to give as testimony to others. I am a happy man. Coming back to your question, my answer is what have I done to be popular? It is God's gift. It comes and goes. I have nothing but to praise and thank Him. ”
Don t worry Biya will die soon like Bongo and you will be set free by the next president. Biya and his entourage will perrish in hell. Just because of the music you sang about the constitution amendment you were framed and jailed. Biya is a villain. He murderred Jean irene, and slained the ex-husband of his present wife Chantal with whom they had two children, they now study in switzerland. Biya is Satan in disguise. He thinks he is immortal. He will die soon. We are waiting for his death. Courage la Piro de Mbanga. You are a Hero just like Nelson Mandela who spent 26 years in Prison.
Posted by: damike | Sunday, 05 July 2009 at 01:40 PM
F................k the Biya Regime. He is a big Fraud.
Posted by: damike | Sunday, 05 July 2009 at 01:43 PM
Lapiro being in prison is just a sign of injustice that exsist in cameroon today. i don't live in cameroon today, but i am a born cameroonia with another nationality. i spend 24yrs in cameroon, and i have been out for 6yrs, and recently i just pay a visit to the country. i was shock that after six years, cameroon have move backward for for 20yrs. this alone tell alot about the government in power.biya and his regim needs to be wipe out, and let them rott in hell.
Posted by: Danboy | Monday, 06 July 2009 at 03:30 AM
I pray this scene be over soon. Lapiro as we all know him, has been a public icon in many instances. For what happened that took him to this level, i really don't know. For those in possession who knows exactly the truth,It is right time to execute your function properly rather than being a blind servant to the Biya regime. Justice or no justice, one day the truth will be unvail. God almighty should have mercy upon our belove nation.
Posted by: Ngang Roland | Monday, 06 July 2009 at 04:07 AM
Papa La Piro,it is time you know the down fall of a man is not the end of his life. It doesn't mean you have fallen, but rather taken an unexpected rest. Papa just relax yourself. That villain of name Biya will soon give up the ghost like his comtemporary Bongo. Bingo is gone, the next is him. Papa you will be freed soon and no fine will be levied on you. We shall keep fighting on your behalf.. Pa we luv you. While there, prepare another track that will hit them again and make them shame.
The Danish cameroonian
Posted by: Aammy | Monday, 06 July 2009 at 02:46 PM
My poem for this distressed hero:
The village... gosh, this our exquisite village!
This bloodstained village is a big big fraud!
Freedom of expression has never been our right,
As we remain miserable prisoners to our obnoxious consciences,
In a village wherein all the birds are free.
Distress! It is distressing.
Man, it's disturbing when only one man is free,
The rest get battered from the cradle to the grave.
There's no meaning to life when virtue gets obliterated.
Quiet! And the village shall be utterly silenced!
Volatile spirits are quietened like the dead,
As the irate souls get disabled and caged like pitiful apes.
The gloomy jails are crowded with voiceless prisoners of conscience.
Confusion! It is confusing.
Man, there's a vicious mix up when the village is confused,
Militants shall arise and shall fill up this our place.
For no man wants mercy to be shelved for tomorrow.
Fury! The children are furious.
Fury shall make them set the place ablaze,
For volatile spirits shall desist from being at the mercy of the Free man,
The Free man shall run and tumble down to save his own skin.
Blood! The village shall shed plenty litres of hungry blood.
The nation shall bleed profusely, as the wailing spirits weep with streams of begging tears,
The comatose leaders shall mourn when painful darkness falls.
Showdown! As the irate lot can't abide such coarseness,
The vultures are in dancing in hiding, in anticipation for the Great Slaughter!
Just like the melancholic vampire bats think of our village as an incredibly romantic country.
Change! But in this our time, our village must change,
The free man shall understand that freedom is for all.
And all the wrongfully incarcerated shall be set free, averting the bloodbath, and drying up the woeful tears of the wailing village.
Deliverance! The starving spirits shall be delivered from their tribulation, For in the virtuous hands of a higher power our village must remain, and flourish with due justice and pride.
And the egocentric Free man shall be cut down like grass.
Posted by: Ras Tuge | Tuesday, 07 July 2009 at 06:38 AM
Lapiro's incarceration exposes the infirmity of Cameroonians. A lot of people are scared to incite a movement that will alleviate the misery of Cameroonians because they do not have what it takes to defend a hero to the very end. This is a man who risked his liberty to safe Cameroonians yet we have nothing other than emotional words to offer him. We can do more than that. We can close our shops for a day or two to protest against his detention. We really need to do something.
Posted by: Bob Bristol | Tuesday, 07 July 2009 at 12:02 PM
THIS MESSAGE IS IN ENGLISH, FRENCH, ITALIAN AND SPANISH.
13 millions Fcfa divisent le Rdpc au Canada
Que le chef d'Etat et Les membres du Rassemblement démocratique du peuple camerounais comprennent que les millions doivent se diviser au Camerounais du pays, et le Cameroun et l'Afrique n'ont jamais un pays et Continent des homosexuels. Comment les soi-disant chrétiens, ont pu signe la ratification de Maputo qui autorise le mariage des homosexuels. Ceci est une perversion sans pareille! Cher Camerounais et Africains, veuillez prier Dieu pour vos familles et pour vos enfants, que Dieu puisse les protège au précieux nom de notre Sauveur et Seigneur Jésus-Christ et par la puissance de notre Seigneur Saint-Esprit. Amen! Priez sans cessez et obéissez Dieu pour avoir un résultat positif. Visitez le web site suivant pour avoir une idée précise sur l'homosexualité, c'est l'ordre du jour du diable. www.worldevangelizationone.com
Priez que Dieu maudisse sévèrement tous ceux qui sont impliques dans ce procès d'homosexualité, les organisateurs et les signataires.
PLEASE, THOSE WHO WORK ONLINE, POST THESE MESSAGES TO ALLOW THE WORLD TO KNOW WHAT AFRICANS LEADERS ARE DOING. THE WORLD DOES NOT ALWAYS KNOW WHAT TAKES PLACE UNTIL WE SAY IT!
ENGLISH
FRANCE GOVERNMENT PUSHED ALL AFRICA COUNTRIES TO LEGALIZE GAY MARRIAGE! THIS IS the devil’s agenda. PLEASE CHECK THIS WEB www.worldevangelizationone.com
FRANCE CUTS THROAT OF ITS GOATS, INCOMPETENT TO MANAGE HIS COLONIES AND TO FACE THE COMPETITION! MEANS, GAY! PLEASE CHECK THIS WEB www.worldevangelizationone.com
S'IL VOUS PLAÎT, CEUX QUI TRAVAILLENT EN LIGNE, POSTEZ CES MESSAGES POUR PERMETTRE AU MONDE DE SAVOIR CE QUE FONT LES CHEFS D'AFRICAINS. LE MONDE NE SAIT PAS TOUJOURS CE QUI SE PASSE JUSQU'À CE QUE NOUS LE DISIONS!
FRANÇAIS
LA FRANCE A POUSSÉ TOUS LES PAYS AFRICAINS À LÉGALISER LE MARIAGE GAI!C'est l'ordre du jour du diable. Visitez www.worldevangelizationone.com
LA FRANCE EGORGE SES MOUTONS, INCAPABLE DE GERER SES COLONIES ET FAIRE FACE A LA COMPETITION!MOYEN HOMOSEXEL
www.worldevangelizationone.com
Posted by: joe Linda | Thursday, 09 July 2009 at 11:44 PM
THIS MESSAGE IS IN ENGLISH, FRENCH, ITALIAN AND SPANISH IN THIS WEBSITE: WWW.WORLDEVANGELIZATIONONE.COM
PER FAVORE, COLORO CHE LAVORANO IN LINEA, POSTO QUESTI MESSAGGI PER CONSENTIRE IL MONDO DI SAPERE!!!
ITALIANO
FRANCIA ha SPINTO tutti i paesi africani a legalizzare il matrimonio gay!Ciò è il programma del diavolo. VISITA www.worldevangelizationone.com
FRANCIATAGLIA GOLA DEL SUE CAPRINI,INCAPACE GESTIRE LE SUE COLONIE E FARE FRONTE ALLA CONCORRENZA! www.worldevangelizationone.com
POR FAVOR, AQUELLOS QUE TRABAJAN EN LÍNEA, POST ESTOS MENSAJES PARA PERMITIR QUE EL MUNDO CONOCE.
SPAGNOL
FRANCIA IMPULSÓ LOS PAÍSES AFRICANOS A LEGALIZAR EL MATRIMONIO HOMOSEXUAL!ESTE ES el orden del diablo.Visita
www.worldevangelizationone.com
FRANCIA CORTA GARGANTA DE SUS CABRAS,incapaces gestionar sus colonias HACER FRENTE LA COMPETENCIA! www.worldevangelizationone.com
Posted by: joe Linda | Thursday, 09 July 2009 at 11:45 PM
joe linda, WTF? Would you rather open a concentration camp for these people or empower police to club their heads every time? The sky is not falling, idiot. If a man choses to sleep with a man, how is it your business or mine? It is a private matter. Do not get in their stuff. Do not get in my stuff. Take your hateful religion and stuff it.
Posted by: Oyez | Friday, 10 July 2009 at 06:34 AM
Ofcourse, the vehement lord of the anus shan't ever bite the finger that feeds him! The simple reason why a grown ass man like him can't do without a nappy. No way... no one can stop him now. Too bad for you man.
Posted by: Ras Tuge | Friday, 10 July 2009 at 11:14 AM
what has Biya done for the Cameroonian people.So many Cameroonian put the picture of a devil in Cameroon and that is why biya himself is the devil.25 generals and only two for west Cameroon.
just this shows how far this man can not be the president of Cameroon.
Why is he calling for presidential election? Wsa he elected and by who.
Posted by: john peter | Tuesday, 14 July 2009 at 10:15 AM
I am a born cameroonian but with witha nother nationality.I a have been out of the country for so many years and when i went back for a visit i say how the living conditions in the country i i grew up had perish because of a bad government. We the coamerooniand world wide must fight to free our brothers and sister suffering there by making the internanional body know what is happening in cameroon.
Posted by: jJohn | Tuesday, 14 July 2009 at 02:32 PM
Lapiro de Mbanga sorry for the detention,God's time is the best and vengance is of the lord.The time will come very soon and Biya will leave whether he likes it or not.There should be no presidential elections 2011 because we dont have a president.No freedom of speech in Cameroon,many people are death because they said the truth,Bate Bessong may your soul rest in peace becoz you talked about the disgrace and you were killed.May God rescue our beloved country Cameroon.
Posted by: Jenny Paulis | Wednesday, 15 July 2009 at 10:13 AM
LA PIRO,we keep praying and we know you can do bater even than MR paul biya.he take the pecidentcy to became his privet hause.but do to all blesed he will one day died.
nobody was born to leaved for ever,may allmigthy god be on you.
Posted by: nfor | Saturday, 18 July 2009 at 02:24 PM
La Piro no mind.Biya and his lot forgets that when the sun rises it will always set.One day his sun will set like that of Bongo and yours will rise and to set in a more dignified manner.Now he goes often to Europe to Panel bit his body,signs that his sun is setting at lightning speed. He thinks he can rewind his life to make adjustments on all his mistakes by sending his Hench men to jail but he will also end there.Ndjinga man you will come out more fortified than ever before.Three years is just after tomorrow.COURAGE BROTHER.
Posted by: Ngumsi Protus | Saturday, 18 July 2009 at 06:13 PM