Nigerian Grammy Winner Cancels Kigali Concert Over Rwanda-M23 Rebel Controversy

A Nigerian Grammy-winning singer has canceled their Kigali concert following controversy over Rwanda’s alleged ties to the M23 rebels, sparking discussions on ethics in entertainment.

Nigerian artist and Grammy winner Tems has canceled her upcoming concert in Kigali, expressing concerns about Rwanda’s purported support for the M23 armed group that has been capturing territory in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Her decision arises in the context of increasing international criticism regarding Rwanda’s purported involvement in the conflict—allegations that the Rwandan government has refuted.

Tems took to the social media platform X to address the issue, apologizing to her fans and explaining that she was unaware of the situation when she first promoted the show.

The performance in Kigali was a segment of her worldwide tour for “Born In the Wild,” her debut album scheduled to be released in 2024.

In the meantime, Congolese forces have committed to launching a military offensive aimed at expelling M23 rebels from the country. The ongoing conflict has displaced over 500,000 people since January, as reported by the UN refugee agency.