ICRC and artists to raise rights awareness

The regional delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and seven West African artists have launched a music album titled 'Man is Man's remedy' that aims to raise awareness of basic principles of humanitarian law. The 8-track, non-commercial album, launched on Wednesday in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, was a collaborative work of four artists from Cote d'Ivoire, Assy Kywah of Benin, Sonia Carre d'as of Burkina Faso and Dama Damwuzan of Togo. Apart from a plea "to give back a little humanity to those who have lost it" in the title track, they also sing of child-soldiers, anti-personnel mines, small arms trafficking, women in war, prisoners, displacement, and respect for civilians during conflict. The ICRC project coordinator, Simon Pluess, said music was chosen because of the region's strong oral tradition and because musicians were "mouth-pieces" of their communities. The artists were also known to highlight social issues in their respective careers. The album, an arrangement of popular West African rhythms and beats, and sang in French and other traditional dialects, will first target West Africa. ICRC plans to eventually avail the album to other francophone countries, Pluess told IRIN. Ivorian reggae singer Kajeem who has taken part in other pro-bono projects, said he joined the project because musicians, and artists in general, have a greater responsibility than making people dance and earning money. Artists, he told IRIN, can contribute to Africa's peace and development. The album will shortly be launched in Burkina Faso, Togo, and Benin. Its original French title is 'L'Homme, un remede pour l'Homme'.