Key Ethiopian event in Calgary at risk after prominent musician faces visa delays

When the Calgary Ethiopian Community Association started to plan an event on Sept. 9 to celebrate their 40th anniversary and Ethiopian Day, they knew they wanted to make it big.

So they decided to invite one of Ethiopia's most popular musicians right now, Dawit Tsige, to perform at the event that evening.

But, with just over a week until his show, Tsige still hasn't received his visa to come to Canada.

Lulseged Yimam, president of the community association running the event, says he's concerned.

"It's been more than five-or-six weeks since we applied, but we [haven't gotten] an answer. That's why we're a bit frustrated right now.," he said.

Yimam says he helped Tsige apply for the visa in June, with a letter of support from Liberal MP George Chahal.

Now, after months of planning, securing the venue and selling around 1,000 tickets, Yimam says the visa delay means the community's first big event in years is at risk of being postponed.

Over the phone from Ethiopia, Tsige says he's also frustrated by the situation.

He says performing in Calgary would be a huge accomplishment, and also an opportunity to bring community members together.

"We cancelled over five-to-six shows [in Ethiopia] because of the upcoming Calgary show," said Tsige, with the help of a translator.

Tsige said he's performed across many parts of the world, including Europe, Africa and the Middle East, and he's disappointed that he's facing such barriers to come to Canada.

"I would be very happy if these things are resolved as soon as possible. I would like to perform in Calgary," said Tsige.

MP Chahal, who provided a letter of support for Tsige's visa application, declined an interview.

CBC News reached out to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, IRCC, but did not receive a response by deadline Thursday.