Rien que la verité

What better way to spent a Saturday night in Kinshasa than hearing live to the biggest Congolese musicians around. Last night was the concert for the ABCD - Rien que la Verité album at the main stadium. Rien que la Verité (Nothing but the Truth) is a US Embassy project which collected 14 of the top Congolese musicians make an album raising awareness about HIV/AIDS surrounding the 4 main messages:

• Abstinence
• Bonne fidelité (Being Faithful)
• Condoms
• Dépistage (Testing)

While official data shows Congo’s HIV prevalence at 4.5%, it is suspected that many areas where there have been foreign militaries operating or which have road access to higher-prevalence countries such as Zambia and Rwanda, have significantly higher rates of infection (UNAIDS speculates up to 20% in conflict-affected areas). Unfortunately for those Congolese living with the virus, there is only limited access to ART (anti-retroviral therapy), which can significantly increase an infected person’s expected lifespan. The best way to stay well is still to focus on prevention, which is where Rien que la Verité comes in.

The Rien que la Verité album (which can be downloaded free from the link above) has one new song from each of the artists dealing with some aspect of the fight against HIV/AIDS and then an ensemble piece at the end. A video of the ensemble piece has also been produced and production is underway for a televised version of the concert.

The concert itself was fantastic — and I’m not just saying that because some friends organised it. Clips of the documentary made to accompany the album were also shown between acts. In the film, each of the artists speaks to one aspect of A, B, C or D or about destigmatisation of those living with the virus. Small film segments were also shown at the concert detailing how to correctly use a condom. Three organisations had rapid HIV testing booths at the concert and report having tested more people at the concert than in the last 6-8 months.

With Congo’s vibrant music culture, these musicians are national heroes whose voices hold serious weight. Seeing them speak on stage after each of their sets about the importance of dealing with the HIV/AIDS pandemic went far beyond lip service as the Lingala words went bouncing across the stadium filled with thousands. With the laughter bubbling across the stands during the condom demonstration, it was clear that the audience was taking it all in.

Philly Lutaaya, a Ugandan musician who contracted HIV early on in the epidemic was one of the first prominent Africans to come out with his status and used his popularity to promote HIV awareness and prevention, which he did with much success in his final days.

Having seen what the Rien que la Verité musicians -from Papa Wemba, the granddaddy of Congolese music, though newer stars like Werrason- are up to provides a lot of hope for stopping the spread of the disease in its tracks here in Congo. It also reminds one of the amazing things that can and do come together in this chaotic place.