Pan African Music Festival - Congolese President Denis Sassou Nguesso has justified his decision to halt the eighth Pan African Music Festival (FESPAM), after the death of seven people in a stampede Saturday night at the entrance of the Felix Eboue stadium, during the opening of the cultural event.

'I have just talked to our brother Youssou Ndour, an artist who honours Africa. He came here to participate in FESPAM. I quickly discussed with him about the tragedy that occurred at the Felix Eboue stadium at the opening ceremony of FESPAM.

'I told him that life is made of ups and downs. I decided from where I was to halt the festival. He understood that because FESPAM is a feast and it cannot go along with mourning. And he understood as a humanist, a great African, 'President Sassou Nguesso told a press conference here Monday.

'I would like to take this opportunity to offer my condolences to the grief-stricken families,' he said.

Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the tragedy.

Pana 13/07/2011