John Legend defends decision to go ahead with Rwanda concert despite conflict in Democratic Republic of Congo

John Legend wasn't ready to cancel his concert. In an interview with the BBC , the All of Me singer spoke about his decision to go ahead with his show in Rwanda on Friday, February 21, despite the current situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo . " I don't think we should punish Rwandans and people in other countries when we disagree with their leaders," he said.

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“ I am aware of everything that is happening in the Republic of Congo and I am aware of the calls that were made for me not to perform on this stage but I think this concert is very important, as is the mission of Move Afrika .” The show, organized under the label of Global Citizen , a non-profit organization that aims to end extreme poverty and promote justice, is part of the “ Move Afrika Tour ” mission. The aim of these shows is to encourage young people in the country to take an interest in and participate in the development of cultural and creative industries in Africa, for example by investing in sustainable infrastructure that will allow artists from all over the world to be welcomed so that the continent is no longer excluded from international tours.

John Legend, who performed for free on February 21 in the Rwandan capital Kigali, has been widely criticized on social media after his concert. Some believe he should have canceled his show, as did Nigerian singer Tems . “ I recently promoted my show in Rwanda without understanding that there is an ongoing conflict between Rwanda and Congo , ” she wrote on social media in late January. “ It was never my intention to be indifferent to real-life issues, and I sincerely apologize if I gave that impression. I simply had no idea what was going on.” Activist Denise Zaneza, who advocates for peace and democracy in Rwanda, took a swipe at Legend on X, arguing that “ performing under the banner ” of Rwanda “ is tantamount to collaborating with oppression itself .” The star will also perform in Lagos, Nigeria, on Tuesday, February 25.

Since late 2021, the M23 armed group, supported by some 4,000 Rwandan soldiers, has taken up arms again against the government of President Tshisekedi. During a lightning offensive in recent weeks, the M23 notably took control of Goma and Bukavu. While life is slowly returning to normal in the two cities of the Democratic Republic of Congo, crime has reportedly increased according to a report published by the UN.

Rwanda is accused of wanting to occupy these territories to exploit for its own account the rich deposits of various minerals, some essential for chips or mobile phones. The rapid advance of the M23 and Rwandan forces has caused the flight of thousands of people, and the conflict has cost the lives of more than 7,000 people since January, according to the Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Judith Suminwa Tuluka.