Poet Naema Ahmed Ibrahim was released from prison and remains in Hargeisa. She was not pardoned of the charges against her.
Read More »Equatorial Guinea: Artist Freed from Prison
An Equatorial Guinean court on 7 March 2018 released an artist imprisoned on dubious charges for nearly six months, 18 human rights groups said today. The prosecution dropped all charges against Ramón Esono Ebalé, a cartoonist whose work is often critical of the government.
Read More »Zimbabwe: Musicians attacked for singing in native language
Zimbabwean musician Jeys Marabini and his band were attacked by audience members for singing in their native IsiNdebele language during their performance at the inauguration of President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Read More »Somalia: Musician arrested after returning home
Musician Nimcaan Hilaac has been reportedly arrested in his home town of Boroma in Somaliland, according to Freemuse sources.
Read More »Uganda: Police raid, shut down LGBT film festival
The Queer Kampala International Film Festival was brought to an abrupt end after policemen raided the festival venue and forced festivalgoers out.
Read More »Uganda: Two musicians detained for disturbing the president’s peace with song
David Mugema and Jonathan Muwanguzi were detained for a day after pleading not guilty to charges of “offensive communication” over one of their songs.
Read More »Kenya: Festival organisers pull artists off stage over performance
Lamu Cultural Festival organisers stopped the performance of Tanzanian music group Offside Trick for allegedly indecent and obscene dances.
Read More »South Africa: Singer attacked on stage while performing
South Africa-based Zimbabwean singer Berita Khumalo was attacked on stage while performing at the Plett Chill Out event on 30 September 2017.
Read More »Namibia: Singer banned from music awards
Singer Blossom was handed a 12-month ban by the Namibian Annual Music Awards for criticising Namibia's president on social media.
Read More »Burundi: When drumming becomes political
Controversial new law bans women from traditional drumming and regulates the formation of drumming groups, as well as where and when they can perform.
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