John Legend has responded to criticism over his recent performance in Rwanda, a country engaged in conflict with the Democratic Republic of Congo since 2022.
The 46-year-old Grammy-winning artist sparked controversy after taking the stage in Kigali earlier this month. However, he defended his decision, arguing that music lovers should not be punished for the actions of their leaders.
“I don’t believe we should punish the people of Rwanda and other countries when we disagree with their leaders,” he told the BBC following his performance.
A Commitment to Music and Humanitarian Efforts
Legend explained that he felt compelled to perform at Move Afrika, a concert organized by the NGO Global Citizen, which attracted audiences from across the African continent.
“I know what’s going on in Congo, and I know there were calls for me to cancel the concert, but I truly believe that the mission of Move Afrika remains important,” he stated.
The Ongoing Conflict in Congo
Political and military instability in the Democratic Republic of Congo has led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of civilians, with armed conflicts plaguing the region for decades.
Rwanda became directly involved in 2022, sending 4,000 soldiers to support the March 23 Movement, a rebel group fighting against the Congolese army and pro-government militias.
On Monday, Congolese Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka announced that more than 7,000 people have died since the start of the year due to clashes in the country’s eastern region.
