U2 frontman Bono has recalled running for his life from protestors who shouted “Make Bono history” after him.

The singer and activist has been a supporter of the Make Poverty History series of campaigns since they began in 2005.

But the slogan was turned on him recently in Germany.

He tells The Guardian:

“I was chased down the street by a bunch of anarchists wielding placards and shouting ‘Make Bono history!’ – which, even as I was running for my life, I thought was a pretty good line.”

In the same week, he says, he was also booed by young entrepreneurs in Tanzania, who believed he was arguing for Africa to be seen as a place in permanent need of charity.

“They thought I was peddling this idea of a supplicant Africa, which could not be further from the truth,” he says.

“So we’re doing something right: we’re annoying capitalists in Africa and anti-capitalists in Europe.”

Bono admits his political activities have adversely affected U2′s profile over the years.

“The band thought this would sink the ship 10 years ago – hanging out with politicians and corporations is very unhip work.

“But I think the U2 audience have turned out to be incredibly subtle in their understanding. We have a relationship now with our audience that exists outside the media.

“When you have been singing into somebody’s ear for 20 years through a set of headphones, people tend to know if you are an asshole or not. Public opinion does not drive U2′s audience.”