French visa ban controversy: Nigerien artists refuse to let culture be “taken away”

This Nigerien flutist and singer has a message. It is one directed at France, his country’s former colonial power who has banned cultural venues from collaborating with artists from his country.

“The French should respect us. If we say “ah I’m not going to give a visa” that’s like saying to a child “ah if you don’t do that, I can’t buy you a sweet.” We are not at that level, we have gone beyond that.” says Yacouba Moumouni. He is not…