By David Adebayo
Femi Kuti, son of late Afrobeats legend, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, has said Africans in any part of the world must be free to express themselves and to sit with partners to build a united world full of justice, love, and peace.
Kuti, who became a Knight of France recently, was awarded the title of Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters – Chevalier de l’Ordre d’Arts et Lettres – in France.
The honour came for the famous instrumentalist during an Afrobeat exhibition in Paris, France, known as “Rebellion Afrobeat”.
In a statement obtained by Per Seconds News, Kuti thanked the organisers while imploring world leaders and France to change policies that are unfavourable to Africans and the nations.
“I truly appreciate this recognition and the involvement of the French cultural system from the start of my career at a point when many people did not accept my path as a musician,” he said.
“France has allowed me to express my music and I believe has understood my political views as a pan-Africanist through this medium before recognizing me with this honour.
“Africa must be free to express itself completely and to sit with partners to build a unified world of justice, love, and peace.
“The world is at a critical point as we see with more wars, more riots, poverty, climate change, and the migrant crisis, of which I ask you to continue to rescue at sea with the greatest humanity.
“If Africa is allowed the full opportunity to build its home, and African leaders make the welfare of our people a priority, Africa would be at the forefront of development alongside the large powers on our planet.
“For this to happen, France and the entire world must change policies that aren’t favourable to Africa and its nations,” Femi Kuti said.
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