Papa Wemba’s body flown home to DR Congo

Papa Wemba on stage during his final performance

Papa Wemba died after collapsing on state at a music festival in Ivory Coast

The body of Papa Wemba, one of Africa’s best known singers, is being flown back to Democratic Republic of Congo after his death on Sunday in Ivory Coast.

Hundreds of people are outside Kinshasa’s airport waiting for his body to arrive.

An all-night concert has been held in his honour in Abidjan, the city where he collapsed and died on stage.

He is due to be buried on Tuesday after lying in state in a stadium in the DR Congo capital, Kinshasa, on Monday.

Government officials and diplomats will attend a memorial service for the singer at the airport before the body is taken to a morgue, reports the BBC’s Poly Muzalia.

Papa Wemba, who died aged 66, was considered one of Africa’s most influential musicians of his generation.

He pioneered modern Congolese soukous music, which spread through the continent.

Papa Wemba's group performing at the memorial concert

The musicians and dancers who were with Papa Wemba when he died paid tribute to him on Wednesday night

BBC

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