ALPHA BLONDY STAGES IVORY COAST COMEBACK

ALPHA BLONDY STAGES IVORY COAST COMEBACK

The Ivory Coast's biggest reggae star ALPHA BLONDY has staged his first concert in his native country since the failed 2002 coup. The musician held the gig for 5,000 fans in the coastal town of Grand Bassam, which served as the country's capital in the early years of French colonial rule. Alpha Blondy has not performed in the Ivory Coast since the country was split in two after a militant uprising against leader President Gbagbo - and the star used the event to call for an end to the trouble in the region. He told fans, "Ivory Coast needs all its children to accomplish a durable and lasting peace."