American singer-songwriter John Legend has defended his recent performance in Kigali, Rwanda, amid public criticism over the country’s alleged involvement in the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The award-winning artist, known for his activism, stated that he did not believe in punishing the people of Rwanda for their government’s actions.
“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,” Legend told the BBC following his concert at the Move Afrika event. Despite calls for him to cancel, Legend proceeded with his show, emphasizing his mission to support the growth of touring infrastructure across Africa, a continent often overlooked in global music tours.
The backlash stems from reports that Rwanda has deployed 4,000 troops to support the M23 rebels in eastern DRC, where conflict has displaced hundreds of thousands of civilians and led to widespread human rights abuses, including sexual violence. Critics argue that Legend’s decision to perform indirectly lends legitimacy to the Rwandan government amid these allegations.
Fellow Grammy-winning artist Tems took a different stance, canceling her scheduled concert in Rwanda, citing concerns over insensitivity to “real-world issues.” Many on social media questioned why Legend, who has been outspoken on political matters in the past, did not take a similar stand.
The concert was organized by the NGO Global Citizen and attracted thousands of fans from across Africa. Legend clarified that he was not financially compensated for the performance and that his participation was driven by a desire to foster artistic growth and opportunities in African nations.
Despite his explanation, the controversy intensified online, with activist Denise Zanesa describing his performance as “collaborating with oppression” and another critic, Simone Umba, accusing Rwanda of using Black American culture for “soft campaigning” to deflect from its role in eastern Congo’s crisis. The backlash was strong enough to prompt Legend to delete an Instagram post promoting the event.
Rwanda has faced similar accusations of using global figures and sports sponsorships, including deals with Arsenal, Bayern Munich, and Paris St-Germain, to improve its international image despite ongoing human rights concerns. When asked about this, Legend declined to comment.
As the debate rages on, Legend remains steadfast in his belief that music should transcend politics. Whether this stance will resonate with his fans and critics alike remains to be seen.
