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Bob Geldof has responded after British pop star Ed Sheeran said he has changed his position on the charity single ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’ from Band Aid.

Last week, Sheeran shared a statement telling his followers that he had not been asked to perform his vocals on a new mix of the song, originally released in 1984, and that if he had, he would have declined due to his ‘understanding of the story’. associated with his charitable efforts had changed.

The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter was featured on the 2014 version of the song, which sought to raise money for Ebola relief. Over the years, the song has been criticized for what many consider a “white savior” attitude that perpetuates harmful stereotypes about Africa.

On Instagram Stories, Sheeran also shared a statement from Ghanaian-British musician Fuse ODG, who accused the campaign of “(dehumanizing) Africans and (destroying) our pride and identity in the name of ‘charity’”.

“My approval was not sought for this new Band Aid 40 release and if I had the choice I would have respectfully declined the use of my vocals,” Sheeran wrote.

“Ten years later, my understanding of the story involved has changed, eloquently explained by (Fuse ODG). This is just my personal point of view. I hope it’s prescient. Love for all.”

Speak with Sunday times,Geldof, 73, defended the song’s legacy: fundraising to support those in need.

“This little pop song has kept millions of people alive,” he said, listing the work the charity does, including education and healthcare. “Why would Band Aid cut the diets of thousands of children who depend on us for a meal? Why wouldn’t you keep doing that? Because of an abstract argument from the rich world, regardless of its legitimacy?

He continued, “No abstract theory, however sincerely believed, should hinder or distract from that awful, concrete reality of the real world. There are 600 million hungry people in the world, of which 300 million are in Africa. We wish it were different, but it isn’t. We can help some of them. We will continue to do that.”

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In his post, Fuse ODG announced his own song, “We Know It’s Christmas,” as he wrote: “Ten years ago I refused to participate in Band Aid because I recognized the damage initiatives like this do to Africa.

“While they may generate sympathy and donations, they perpetuate harmful stereotypes that suppress Africa’s economic growth, tourism and investment, ultimately costing the continent trillions and destroying its dignity, pride and identity.

“By showing dehumanizing images, these initiatives foster pity rather than partnership that discourages meaningful engagement.”

Fuse said his mission was to “reclaim the narrative, empower Africans to tell their own stories, redefine their identities and position Africa as a thriving hub for investment and tourism”.

He concluded: “Today, the diaspora drives the largest flow of money back to the continent, and not Band Aid or foreign aid, proving that Africa’s solutions and progress lie in its own hands.”

Geldof has previously hit back at claims he has a “white savior complex” over his charity singles and his 1985 Live Aid concert.

During an appearance on Times Radio in February this year, he dismissed the criticism as “the biggest load of b****cks ever”.

“If there was a famine in Italy and someone responds and he is white, is he a white savior?” he asked. “Can the only people responding to an African famine be Black?”

He added: “This is a nonsensical, absolutely dismissive argument. It is. I think it’s nonsense.”