Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Tems announced the cancellation of her upcoming concert in Kigali, Rwanda, scheduled for March 22, due to the ongoing conflict between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The M23 armed group, which has been accused of receiving support from Rwanda, recently seized the city of Goma in eastern DRC, intensifying the violence in the region.
Tems, whose real name is Temilade Openiyi, explained in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that she had promoted the concert without realizing the severity of the conflict. She expressed her deep regret for any insensitivity her concert promotion may have caused and emphasized her support for those affected by the violence. Tems, who made history as the first Nigerian singer to win a Grammy in 2023, further stated that she had not been aware of the ongoing situation.
The announcement follows mounting international condemnation of Rwanda’s alleged support for the M23 group, with the UK government considering a review of its aid to Rwanda. DR Congo has accused Rwanda of orchestrating military operations to exploit the region’s mineral resources, and a UN report from July supported these claims. Despite the allegations, Rwanda has consistently denied military involvement in the conflict.
The M23 group’s leaders have vowed to continue their offensive, with Kinshasa, the capital of DR Congo, being their next target. The situation remains tense as international pressure mounts on all parties involved in the conflict.
