Lokassa ya Mbongo, a renowned guitar player from the Congo, has been deprived of a proper burial for nearly seven months since his demise, inflicting insufferable anguish and ignominy upon his kin. Presently, Lokassa's mortal remains languish in a mortuary in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, having been transported back from the United States, in accordance with his desire to rest in his homeland. André Marie Lokassa, his son, lamented the government's unfulfilled pledge to orchestrate a funeral that would benefit the stature of this esteemed musical icon. Regrettably, such assurances have thus far been left unfulfilled. Conversely, a local charity that supports artists claimed that internal familial disputes have contributed to this inordinate delay. In an attempt to overcome this predicament, the family has submitted a funding proposal amounting to $75,000 (£61,000) to the government to cover the expenses of the funeral, yet it awaits approval, leaving the family in a state of uncertainty and limbo. While the mortuary expenses have already surpassed $4,000, the family remains hopeful of laying their beloved patriarch to rest by mid-October, even without the assistance of the government.
Lokassa ya Mbongo, a highly revered musician, sadly passed away at the age of 77 after bravely fighting against diabetes and the complications resulting from a mild stroke he encountered in the year 2020. Throughout his illustrious career, Lokassa ya Mbongo showcased his incredible talent as one of the most exceptional rhythm guitarists in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He primarily operated from the vibrant city of Paris, where he took charge of the renowned Soukous Stars band starting from 1984. Later on, he joined forces with the talented vocalist Sam Mangwana in Ivory Coast, forming the remarkable African All Stars.
Lokassa ya Mbongo left an indelible mark on the music industry with his stellar compositions, including the widely adored tracks "Bonne Annee," "Monica," "Marie-Josse," "Lagos Night," and "Nairobi Night." In 1996, the maestro relocated to the United States, where he resided until his untimely demise in March. Subsequently, his remains were transported to the Democratic Republic of Congo the following month, honoring his profound connection to his homeland.
The Lokassa ya Mbongo family has been enduring insufferable anguish and degradation as they anticipate government assistance to lay him to rest, nearly seven months after his passing. The son of the guitarist, André Marie Lokassa, conveyed that they have submitted a financial proposal of $75,000 (£61,000) to the government to cover funeral expenses, yet it remains pending approval. This delay has instigated tension within the family, leaving them in a state of uncertainty. Despite the morgue expenses having already exceeded $4,000, they aspire to inter him by mid-October, even if government aid does not materialize.
A local organization supporting artists has proposed that internal conflicts within the family have contributed to the postponement. However, Artist in Danger have also postulated that discrepancies within Lokassa's family regarding the individual responsible for spearheading the burial arrangements have caused the holdup. Tsaka Kongo, the leader of this group, has disclosed that the family is obligated to furnish a letter consenting to relinquish their disputes and authorize the government to orchestrate the burial. "I approached Lokassa's family with the intention to expedite the funeral proceedings, but they expressed a desire to proceed independently," Kongo revealed.
