American singer-songwriter John Legend remains unfazed by criticism over his recent performance in Rwanda, despite the country’s controversial role in the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo).
Speaking to the BBC after his concert in Kigali, Legend dismissed calls to boycott the event, arguing that punishing the people of Rwanda for their government’s actions would be unfair.
“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 stated.
His remarks come at a time when M23 rebels, allegedly backed by Rwanda, have seized key cities in eastern DR Congo. Reports indicate that Rwanda has deployed 4,000 troops to support the rebels, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis, with hundreds of thousands displaced and shocking accounts of violence, including child rape, surfacing.
Critics argue that Legend, as an EGOT-winning artist with immense influence, could have made a bold statement by refusing to perform.
Fellow Grammy winner Tems took that route, canceling her scheduled show in Kigali, citing her unwillingness to appear indifferent to global issues.
However, Legend defended his participation in the Move Afrika event, organized by the Global Citizen NGO, emphasizing his commitment to expanding touring opportunities in Africa.
He revealed that he was not paid for the performance but felt compelled to support an industry often overlooked by international artists.
“I’m aware of what’s happening [in DR Congo] and the calls for me to not do this show, but I really believe the mission of Move Afrika is still important,” he said.
While the concert thrilled thousands of fans, the backlash on social media was intense enough to prompt Legend to delete an Instagram post promoting the event.
Belgium-based activist Denise Zanesa likened his involvement to “collaborating with oppression,” while another critic, Simone Umba, accused Rwanda of leveraging Black American culture to mask its alleged human rights violations in DR Congo.
Legend has never shied away from taking political stances, having openly criticized former U.S. President Donald Trump and distanced himself from Kanye West over the latter’s controversial presidential run.
However, when asked about Rwanda’s broader strategy of using sports and entertainment to enhance its global image—through high-profile sponsorships with Arsenal, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain—his team declined to comment.
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