The US star defends Rwanda’s concert in the middle of the Dr Congo war

The American singer and composer John Legend has told the BBC that a public reaction has not been breached against his decision to act in Rwanda, despite the country’s participation in the war in the neighboring democratic republic of the Congo.

“I don’t think we should punish the people of Rwanda and punish people from other countries when we do not agree with their leaders,” he said after the concert last week in Kigali.

In recent weeks, the M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda, have seized the two largest cities in the east of minerals east of the DR Congo.

There is evidence that Rwanda has sent 4,000 troops across the border to support the rebels.

Hundreds of thousands of civilians are now homeless who have fled from their homes, and The shocking violence, including the violation of children, has shot.

Critics argue that Legend could have made a powerful statement when retiring from the concert, especially given his very respected state of “ego” as someone who has won the Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards.

Grammy Tem winning partner retired from the concert last week in Rwanda, To say that “never, never, will have to be insensitive to real world problems”.

But Legend defended his decision to lead the Afrika Move event in Kigali, which was administered by the world citizen NGO and attracted thousands of fans from all over the continent.

He said he was not paid for the performance, but he felt that it was his duty to “grow tour capacities” in the African continent, that often international stars in the so -called world tours.

“I am aware of what is happening (in Dr Congo) and I am aware of the calls that have not been doing this program, but I really believe that Move Afrika’s mission is still important,” he told The BBC.

The enchanted fans of the program with exhausted tickets agreed, but the violent reaction on social networks was fierce enough to force Legend to eliminate an Instagram post that had been promoted by promoting the event.

The activist based in Belgium, Denise Zanesa, had argued that “acting under the flag” of Rwanda “would be similar to collaboration with oppression itself,” In a message posted in X (previously Twitter).

It was a feeling resonated by others, including Simone Umba in the United States, who wrote in a Video Tiktok title: “So, are we ready to talk about the use of Rwanda of American black culture in its soft campaign to normalize its terror of the Eastern Congo?”

Taking a political position would have been nothing new for the star.

The legend is frank in his criticisms of US President Donald Trump. He also cut the ties with former mentor Kanye West when he ran for president, suspecting that it was part of a broader Trump campaign for “Siphon” votes of the black peoples of the Democrats.

The debate about Rwanda’s relationship with popular global figures is not new either.

More recently, Rwanda has been accused of “sports flow”, with critics who say he uses the international football factor to cover up alleged human rights abuses at home.

It is said that the nation of East Africa receives $ 1 billion (£ 800 million) a year in foreign aid and its tourism arm, visiting Rwanda, has lucrative sponsorship agreements with Arsenal in England, Bayern Munich in Germany and Paris St. -Germain in France.

When asked about the subject, Legend’s assistant told the BBC that he would not answer that question.

It seems that, when it comes to the legend and its team, its music itself should speak.