The singing symbol in Sudan Mohammed Wardi reiterated his determination on continuing his battle against dictatorship which was behind his exile for 13 years after which he returned victorious.
Wardi’s troupe is currently rehearsing the song he will perform before the audience this weekin Khartoum. As usual Wardi will sing “Peace Upon Sudan” written by poet Mohammed al Fitouri. The song includes a blatant political message with clear intention.
“I am not afraid of being jailed again and I do not feel sorry for the years I spent in prison,” Wardi told the press.
The Sudanese singer was jailed for 18 months over hailing the revolution carried out by the communist officer Hashem Atta in 1971 and was crushed after 72 hours by president Jaafar al Numairi who put the artists supporting his foes in prison.
“I am a human being and every human being opposes dictatorship which I shall continue condemning. The environment does not encourage creativity as freedom is a main factor for art flourishing,” added Wardi.
In 1990, Wardi went to Libya to perform concerts and chose it as his exile fearing that the then Sudanese government might arrest him. He stayed in Egypt since 1991 and while he was in Los Angeles in 1999 recording a cassette, he needed kidney surgery.
Upon his return home after a voluntary exile that lasted 13 years, tens of thousands of Sudanese welcomed Wardi at Khartoum airport. The singer met the Sudanese president Omar Hasan al Bashir. A government media official said, “Wardi’s status in Sudan resembles the status of the late renowned singer Umm Kulthoom in Egypt.”
However, Wardi is not in agreement with the politicians who claim that freedom has been coming to Sudan since Sheikh Hasan al Torabi was expelled two years ago. “They reiterate that there is a margin for freedom but I do not see that. The Sudanese music has not been developed at all, it has even slipped,” said the prominent singer -- Albawaba.com
