Nicki Minaj's upcoming concert in Angola is drawing concern from the Human Rights Foundation.
The Grammy-winning rapper announced that she will be performing in the African country on Dec. 19, for the holiday party of communications company Unitel. But the HRF is asking Minaj to cancel the performance. In a statement, the group said that Unitel is controlled by the family of dictator José Eduardo dos Santos, who has ruled the nation since 1979.
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The statement also summarizes a series of accusations against dos Santos, who has ordered "routine harassment, arrest, and execution of politicians, journalists, activists, and students who oppose the government and expose its corruption." His actions have been condemned by the HRF, the Committee to Protect Journalists, the Human Rights Watch, Freedom House, Amnesty International and Transparency International.
“Nicki Minaj is a global artist," said HRF president Thor Halvorssen in a statement. "Millions of people look up to her for creative inspiration. There is no good reason for her to do business with the corrupt Angolan dictatorship and endorse the ruler’s family company.”
Minaj has not yet responded to the HRF's statement.
It's not the first time a major star has been called on to cancel a show in Angola. In 2013, Mariah Carey was paid $1 million to travel and perform for dos Santos in the country, despite backlash from the HRF. Soon after, she severed ties with manager Jermaine Dupri.
Guess who's performing in Angola Dec 19th at the Unitel Christmas Festival At the Coqueiros Stadium?!?!! @kb2u and @zonspr A photo posted by Nicki Minaj (@nickiminaj) on Dec 9, 2015 at 5:16pm PST