Canada refuses Yemi Alade’s visa out of concern that she won’t leave the country
Yemi Alade, a well-known Afrobeat musician, and her band were denied visas to Canada due to concerns that they wouldn’t leave the country after their performance.
According to Le Devoir, a French newspaper published and syndicated in Canada, has reported that the singer won’t be performing at the Festival’s final closing ceremony on Sunday.
The singer is reportedly intended to be one of the Festival international Nuit D’Afrique’s headliners.
The co-founder of the festival, Suzanne Rousseau, commented on the situation and claimed that the rejection to grant the vocalist a visa was motivated by both financial concerns and worries that the ensemble wouldn’t leave Canada after performing.
“Finally, we got an answer saying the musicians were refused, saying they have to guarantee that they have enough financial means that will make them go back to their country,” Suzanne stated.
Yemi’s absence means that Sampa The Great, an Australian singer of Zambian ancestry, will have to perform in Yemi’s place at the festival, according to Suzanne.
