American singer-songwriter John Legend remains unfazed by public backlash over his recent performance in Rwanda, despite the country’s alleged involvement in the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Speaking to the BBC after his concert in Kigali, Legend argued that ordinary citizens should not be punished due to political disagreements with their leaders.
“I don’t believe that we should punish the people of Rwanda and other countries when we disagree with their leaders,” he stated.
Recent reports indicate that M23 rebels, allegedly backed by Rwanda, have seized key cities in eastern DRC. Evidence suggests that Rwanda has deployed 4,000 troops across the border to support the rebels, exacerbating violence and displacing hundreds of thousands of civilians.
Amid these developments, critics suggested that Legend could have taken a stand by canceling his performance, especially given his “EGOT” status—having won Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony awards.
Grammy-winning artist Tems, for instance, withdrew from a scheduled concert in Rwanda, stating she never intended to be “insensitive to real-world issues.”
John Legend Defends Rwanda Concert Amid Criticism Over DR Congo Conflict
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Despite the controversy, Legend defended his participation in the Move Afrika event, organized by Global Citizen, which drew thousands of fans from across Africa. He emphasized that he was not paid for the performance and saw it as an opportunity to contribute to the growth of live music touring across the continent.
“I’m aware of what’s happening in DR Congo, and I know people have called for me to cancel, but I still believe in Move Afrika’s mission,” he explained.
While many fans in attendance supported his stance, the social media backlash was intense, forcing him to delete an Instagram post promoting the event.
Activists, including Belgium-based Denise Zanesa, criticized his participation, arguing that performing in Rwanda equated to “collaborating with oppression.” Others, such as Simone Umba in the US, accused Rwanda of using Black American culture to mask its alleged actions in eastern DRC.
Legend has previously taken strong political positions, notably criticizing former US President Donald Trump and distancing himself from Kanye West when the rapper ran for president—suspecting it was an attempt to divert Black votes from Democrats.
However, when asked about Rwanda’s controversial global partnerships, including its sponsorship deals with major football clubs like Arsenal, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain, his team declined to comment.
For Legend, it appears his music is his primary message.
