President Paul Biya of Cameroon Thursday paid a glowing tribute to the late Congolese musician, Jules Shungu Wembadio Pene Kikumba, better known as Papa Wemba, describing the late musician as “one of the greatest ambassadors of African music.

”In a condolence message to his DR Congolese counterpart, Joseph Kabila, President Biya expressed his profound grief upon hearing news of Wemba’s sudden death after collapsing in the middle of a concert in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire on Sunday.

A talented, world renowned artiste Papa Wemba, was in Cote d’Ivoire to take part in the Festival of Urban Music Anoumabo (FEMUA).

Addressing his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family of the music maestro and to the distraught Congolese people, the Cameroonian leader rued the departure of the musician as a huge loss to African culture especially that of DR Congo.