Zambian musician Koffi Olomide bars :: Kenya

The popular rhumba musician Koffi Olomide has been banned from entering Zambia because of the numerous criminal charges brought against him in this country of southern Africa and in France.

They include allegations of aggression by a photojournalist in Zambia during a previous tour.

He was also accused of badually badaulting his dancers, kidnapping them and using them without valid permits in France.

Prior to his canceled visit, Olomide – who lives in the Democratic Republic of Congo – described Zambia as his "second home" and said he would like to perform in the country before "dying".

A 62-year-old singer's apology was also broadcast on Zambian radio. He does not specifically address the allegations against him, but says that he loves Zambian women.

Olomide, whose real name is Antoine Christophe Agbepa Mumba, was supposed to hold two shows in Zambia this month but the government had warned that he would be arrested by the time he landed in the country [19659008]. The Embbady of Zambia also called for the arrest of Olomide.

The French ambbadador to Zambia, Sylvain Berger, threatened to implicate Interpol to arrest Olomide, who, according to him, has not yet been cleared of the charges against him in France.

The rhumba star – known for its eye-catching clothing and extravagant lifestyle – is not new to the controversy.

In 2016, he was filmed kicking his dancer when he arrived in Kenya. He was quickly deported.

In 2012, he was convicted in DR Congo of badaulting his producer.

The court sentenced the singer to three months in prison.

The altercation with his producer, Diego Lubaki, was on a debt of about $ 3,700 (£ 2,800), heard the court.

In 2008, he was accused of kicking a cameraman of DR Congo's private RTGA television channel and breaking his camera during a concert in the capital, Kinshasa, following a disagreement on registration fees.

In the end, the Speaker of the National Assembly intervened to settle the dispute, negotiating a reconciliation between the star and the owner of the TV channel.