Bongo Flava singer could be disqualified from the BET Awards where he is nominated under the Best International Act category.
A petition was launched on Change.org seeking to have Diamond disqualified over his support of Late Tanzanian President Dr John Magufuli. The petition was signed by over 10,000 people.
"Diamond Platnumz is a world-renowned Tanzania music artist who used his popularity and his talent to whitewash and deodorize the brutal repression of the late dictator John Magufuli and his regime," the petition read.
"Diamond is also a close friend and business ally of Paul Makonda the former Governor of Dar-es-Salaam who has openly persecuted and cracked down on LGBTI people," it added.
The Jeje hitmaker is also accused of supporting violations of human rights due to his association with form Dar-es-salaam Regional Commissioner Paul Makonda.
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"Makonda has also been designated in 2020 by the US State Department for gross violations of human rights including cracking down on freedom of expression and association," the petition read.
"In 2016, Diamond made Paul Makonda the Patron of his music label and media company called Wasafi. Makonda has used the Wasafi Festival for publicity and to sanitize his image. Also throughout the increased level of repression when fellow artists were imprisoned and abducted Diamond remained silent. In 2017, he deliberately released a single called “Acha Nikae Kimya” (Let me remain quiet) as a response to the increasing demand from the public to speak up and condemn the crackdowns. Diamond to-date has not condemned or spoken up on any of the atrocities committed," the petition said.
During the campaign season in Tanzania Diamond was a vocal supporter of Dr Magufuli and even released a song that was played throughout his campaign.
"After the BET Awards 2021 nomination for the best international act, Diamond took to the media and spoke disparagingly of activists, then paid a visit to his party’s headquarters CCM whereby his nomination was hailed as some sort of achievement for the party and the nation," the petition read in part.
