EVENT ORGANISERS sighed with relief when a cabinet meeting chaired by President Paul Kagame on Sunday, November 28, to discuss preventive measures against the fast-spreading new Covid-19 variant Omicron allowed concerts and public gatherings to continue.

The meeting emphasized that precautions must be taken, including ensuring that all attendees are fully vaccinated and have been tested.

"People attending events/gatherings including conferences, concerts, weddings, festivals or exhibitions must be fully vaccinated and tested,”

"As much as possible, gatherings should take place outdoors or in well ventilated spaces,” the cabinet minutes read.

The new Covid-19 strain which has put countries around the world on the alert is threatening to send public gatherings and concerts back in limbo after the World Health Organisation (WHO) described it as a ‘variant of concern’.

Busy weekend ahead

Several concerts are lined up for this coming weekend, including the main one featuring Congolese singer Koffi Olomide, which has since become a contentious one.

Sections of people, including women activists are calling for its cancellation.

Koffi Olomide, 65, is expected to perform in Kigali Arena on December 4, though the concert organised by Intore Entertainment and sponsored by Skol remains the centre of a public debate, with many calling on the government to ban the show.

Those advocating for its banning say Koffi Olomide, who was found guilty of statutory rape in France in 2019, should not be given a platform to perform in Kigali, because he is a rapist and abuses women.

The Soukous and Rhumba maestro faces a backlash over a number of incidents, including one in Nairobi, Kenya, in July 2016, where he was filmed kicking one of his female dancers.

Since then, his planned shows have been met with opposition, some getting cancelled in different countries. Those calling for the cancellation, like feminist and activist Sylvie Nsanga, say allowing Koffi Olomide to perform in Rwanda will set a bad precedent.

Those in favour of the show proceeding argue that the case is going to be heard again with a decision expected in December, which technically means that the ‘Effrakata’ singer, who was handed a suspended sentence and paid a fine, is still free.

The organisers have been adamant to cancel the show, despite the pressure, instead announcing artistes that will perform alongside Koffi Olomide, who include King James, Yvan Buravan, Andy Bumuntu and others.

On the same day, Nigerian singer Ric Hassani and his hosts Symphony Band, are scheduled to perform at Kigali Convention Centre (KCC).

The ‘Only You’ singer has already released a list of songs he will perform in Kigali and many have said they will attend.

Still on December 4, another show is planned in Rubavu district, at Kivu Park Hotel featuring several local artistes and DJs.

The show dubbed "Golden Wine Silent Party” is expected to feature Riderman, Bulldog, Uncle Austin, Nizzo Kaboss and many others and it is expected to be among the shows to usher in December.

Both show organisers and the revellers have been urged to be cautious, much as the new variant is yet to get in the country.