American singer-songwriter John Legend has defended his decision to perform in Rwanda despite criticism over the country’s involvement in the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), according to the BBC. Following last week’s concert in Kigali, Legend stated that he did not believe ordinary people should be penalised for the actions of their leaders. ‘I don’t believe that we should punish the people of Rwanda and punish the people of other countries when we disagree with their leaders,’ he told the BBC.
Recent reports indicate that M23 rebels allegedly backed by Rwanda have seized two major cities in DR Congo’s mineral-rich eastern region. According to the BBC, evidence suggests that Rwanda has deployed 4,000 troops across the border to support the rebels. This escalation has resulted in the displacement of hundreds of thousands of civilians and a surge in violence, including reports of sexual assaults.
Critics argue that, as an influential artist with EGOT status (having won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony), Legend could have made a stronger statement by withdrawing from the concert. Fellow Grammy winner Tems took such a stance, cancelling her scheduled performance in Rwanda and stating that she would ‘never, ever intend to be insensitive to real-world issues,’ as reported by the BBC.
Despite the backlash, Legend stood by his decision to participate in the Move Afrika event, which was organised by Global Citizen and attracted thousands of fans from across the continent. He emphasised that he was not paid for the performance and that his primary goal was to help ‘grow touring capabilities’ across Africa, a region often overlooked by international artists on their world tours.
‘I’m aware of what’s happening [in DR Congo], and I’m aware of the calls there have been for me to not do this show, but I really believe that the mission of Move Afrika is still important,’ he said.
The controversy surrounding Rwanda’s relationship with global celebrities is not new. Activist Denise Zanesa, based in Belgium, remarked on X (formerly Twitter) that performing in Rwanda ‘would be akin to collaborating with oppression itself.’ Similarly, in a TikTok post, activist Simone Umba criticised Rwanda’s use of Black American culture to enhance its international image while allegedly supporting conflict in DR Congo.
According to the BBC, the criticism was strong enough to prompt Legend to delete an Instagram post promoting the event. However, those who attended the sold-out concert were thrilled by his performance, illustrating the complexity of the issue.
Legend has long been vocal on political matters, having criticised former US President Donald Trump and distanced himself from Kanye West over political disagreements. When asked about Rwanda’s alleged ‘sportswashing’ a tactic in which sponsorship deals with major football clubs are used to bolster the country’s international image, his representative declined to comment.
Despite the controversy, Legend remains committed to supporting the development of Africa’s music industry. ‘I’m just here… to make sure that we continue to grow the touring capabilities and industry around the continent,’ he told the BBC.
The Move Afrika event sought to provide a platform for African talent, demonstrating the continent’s potential as a global entertainment hub. While the political context surrounding his performance remains a point of contention, Legend’s participation underscores the importance of investing in African culture and expanding opportunities for artists across the region. As debates over celebrity involvement in complex geopolitical issues persist, Legend’s concert in Kigali has sparked a broader discussion about the role of artists in social and political discourse.
