American singer-songwriter John Legend defends playing Rwanda concert during war

John Legend performs onstage during Global Citizen’s Move Afrika: Kigali at BK Arena on February 21, 2025 in Kigali, Rwanda. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Global Citizen)
|Published 12:00 PM ET, Tuesday February 25, 2025|
American singer-songwriter John Legend has addressed criticism regarding his recent performance in Rwanda amid the country’s alleged involvement in the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Despite public backlash, Legend defended his decision, emphasizing the importance of supporting African music growth and not punishing the Rwandan people for their government’s actions. He stated, “I don’t believe that we should punish the people of Rwanda when we disagree with their leaders.”
Critics argued that canceling the concert could have sent a powerful message, but Legend maintained that his participation in the Move Afrika event was crucial for promoting African touring infrastructure.
The debate continues over Rwanda’s relationships with global figures and concerns about human rights and “sportswashing.”
For more on John Legend’s stance, you can watch the following video:
Dr. Michael Omoruyi is a distinguished information technology, generative AI, and media professional with a robust background in academia and media consultancy. He currently serves as the Publishing Director at iNewsAfrica, an online news platform dedicated to delivering eyewitness news from Africa to a global audience. In addition to his role at iNewsAfrica, Dr. Omoruyi has an extensive academic career, having served as a professor at the College of New Rochelle in New York. His commitment to education is further exemplified by his position as President of the Polytechnic Computer Training Center, where he has been instrumental in advancing computer literacy and education.
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