Acclaimed American singer, songwriter and pianist John Legend has told off critics judging him for his recently concluded performance in Rwanda that he is aware of whatever is happening in the country.
John Legend was the lead artist at the second edition of Global Citizen’s Move Afrika concert held at BK Arena in Kigali on 21, February 2025. However, prior to his performance, the Human Rights Foundation through their Senior policy officer in Africa, Mohamed Keita, had written to the Grammy award winning artist requesting him to call off his tour, a thing he declined.
In an interview with BBC following his successful debut in Kigali, John Legend informed those concerned about his decision that he is so much aware of what is going on in Rwanda, but believes in Move Africa’s mission more.
“I’m aware of what’s happening and I’m aware of the calls there have been for me to not do the show, but I really believed in the mission of Move Africa to bring international touring to Rwanda and other places around the continent,” he remarked.
Legend went ahead to say that just because he disapproves of what a leader may say, it doesn’t warrant him the authority to ‘hurt’ the people.
“I didn’t want to abandon the mission because I may not agree with everything that the leader of the country does. I don’t believe in everything that the leader of my country does,” he said. Adding that, “I don’t think we should punish the people of Rwanda and other countries when we disagree with the leaders.”
Legend strongly believes that more international acts should come and tour Africa.
During his visit to Rwanda, he took off time and paid respect to over a million souls who lost their lives during the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi by visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial.
“We were sad, we were crying, we were angry, we were heartbroken. But we were also educated. We can do better through learning the past,” he said after his visit.
Why John Legend is being criticized for performing in Kigali
There have been allegations by some foreign media houses and countries that Rwanda is behind the M23 ‘rebel’ movement in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that has supposedly caused political instability in the country for years, thus calling on prominent artists to abandon their visits to Rwanda as a move for ‘solidarity’.
Prior to Legend’s tour, Nigerian artist Temilade Openiyi popularly known by her stage name Tems was to hold a concert–Born in the Wild in Kigali on 22nd, March, 2025, but cancelled it citing ‘political instability’.
“So I recently promoted my show in Rwanda without realizing there is an ongoing conflict between Rwanda and Congo. I never intend to be insensitive to real-world issues, and I sincerely apologize if this came across that way,” she posted on her Instagram.
About Global Citizen
Move Afrika is set to wrap up this year’s annual growing circuit at Palms in Lagos, Nigeria on 25th, February, 2025, also headlined by John Legend.
According to the CEO and Co-founder of Global Citizen, Hugh Evans, their goal is “to equip and inspire Africa’s dynamic, young population to participate in the live music and creative industries through investing in lasting infrastructure.”
Hugh adds that bringing an international artist to one city is not as helpful as taking them around the continent.
“Don’t think bringing your favorite artist to the continent for one show in Nairobi is helpful. Bring it all together across the whole continent, because that keeps costs lower, among other things,” he said.
The Move Afrika tour is set to expand further over the next five years, with new countries added annually to its growing circuit. The 2025 edition will also drive a citizen-led advocacy campaign, focusing on sustainable development and economic growth while emphasizing the need to strengthen health systems across Africa.
