Lapiro de Mbanga facts for kids

Lambo Sandjo Pierre Roger (born April 7, 1957 – died March 16, 2014), known as Lapiro de Mbanga, was a famous singer from Cameroon. He was well-known for his 1985 song "Pas argent no love." He also became famous for being put in prison in 2008. This happened after he sang a song called "Constitution constipée" ("Constipated Constitution"), which criticized the president of Cameroon, Paul Biya.

Music Career and Early Life

Lapiro de Mbanga started his music journey in West African countries like Nigeria and Benin. He recorded his first song there, but it didn't become popular. He then moved to Gabon, where he had his first big hit, "Pas d'argent, no love."

In 1985, Lapiro returned to Cameroon. There, he began writing and recording many songs that talked about the real-life problems in his country. His first song like this was "No Make Erreur."

The Voice of the People

People called Lapiro "the guitar man." He became a hero for ordinary people and a voice for the young people in Cameroon. His popular songs from that time included "No Make Erreur," "Surface de Reparation," and "Na You." Because his songs often criticized the government, they were frequently stopped from being played on the radio.

Speaking Out: His Imprisonment

In 2008, Lapiro de Mbanga released a song called "Constitution constipée." This song spoke out against a plan to change Cameroon's constitution. The change would allow President Paul Biya to stay in power for more terms.

The Song and the Protests

The Cameroonian government banned "Constitution constipée" from being played. However, thousands of students in Cameroon used the song as their anthem. They protested in the streets in February 2008 against the proposed change.

Lapiro was arrested on April 9, 2008. He was accused of encouraging damage to property and illegal gatherings. Just two days later, the new constitution, which Lapiro had criticized, was approved by the parliament.

Life in Prison

On September 24, 2008, Lapiro was sentenced to three years in New Bell prison. In December 2009, he became very sick with typhoid fever. When prison officials would not send him to a hospital, his wife brought him medicine that helped save his life. Lapiro later shared that prisoners received very little food, just boiled corn and rice in warm water each day.

Organizations like Freemuse and Freedom Now worked to help Lapiro. They launched international campaigns for his release. In 2011, the United Nations said that Lapiro's arrest was unfair.

Release from Prison

Lapiro appealed his conviction many times. On March 17, 2011, he refused to be released on bail, wanting to prove his innocence fully. He was finally released from prison on April 8, 2011, just one day before his sentence officially ended.

Life After Prison

In July 2011, Lapiro described the prisons he was in as "rotten." He insisted that he never told young people to damage property. He said his trial was unfair and that his fate was decided even before the trial began.

Returning to the Stage

On July 13, 2011, Lapiro performed on stage again in Lille, France. This was his first performance since being released from prison. That summer, he also played concerts in other cities in Europe, the United States, Canada, and Britain.

Seeking Asylum in the U.S.

On September 2, 2012, Lapiro, his wife, and three of their children left Cameroon for the United States. They were given asylum, which means they were allowed to live there safely. They arrived in the U.S. on September 14.

A few days later, Lapiro became very ill and was taken to a hospital in Buffalo. Despite being sick, he was in good spirits. An artist named Paul Piercy painted his portrait, even setting up to paint him in the hospital ward. Lapiro signed the portrait, writing, "I am Lapiro Paul Piercy thanks to immortalise me forever. Lapiro free from prison."

Lapiro also worked on a book about his experiences, called Politico-Judicial Cabal or the Planned Death of a Freedom Fighter.

Personal Life and Legacy

In June 2013, the Supreme Court in Cameroon canceled the original judgment against Lapiro and ordered a new trial. However, Lapiro de Mbanga died of cancer on March 16, 2014, in Buffalo, New York. He is remembered as a brave musician who used his voice to speak for justice and freedom.