Photo Credit:Getty Images
Singer Tems took to X to announce that she is canceling her ‘Born in the Wild’ tour stop in Rwanda. She tweeted, “So I recently promoted my show in Rwanda without realizing that there is ongoing conflict between Rwanda and Congo. I never ever intend to be insensitive to real world issues, and I sincerely apologize if this came across that way. I actually had no idea this was going on. My heart goes out to those affected. Conflict is no joke and I truly hope and pray for peace in this time.”
Tems also shared a poster of the canceled show that was scheduled for March 22 nd at BK Arena, Kigali, Rwanda. According to BBC, the United Nation expressed concerns at reports of M23 rebels and Rwandan troops advancing South towards the Congolese City of Bukavu on Thursday. The militants sought to assert control over easy Congo’s largest city, Goma.
Rwanda is illegally occupying the Democratic Republic of Congo and attempting to orchestrate regime change, the country’s foreign minister has told the BBC. Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner said this followed decades of impunity and failure to hold Rwandan President Paul Kagame accountable for violating international law.
The Rwandan – backed rebels seizure of Goma this week and ongoing offensive southwards are the biggest escalation since 2012. The United Nations says such an issue may lead to another major regional war. According to Rwanda, it is defending itself and accused Congo and it’s military of joining forces with the Hutu tribe in Rwanda bent on slaughtering Tutsis in Congo and being a threat to Rwanda.
The republic of Congo denies the claims and accuses Rwanda of using M23, a “terrorist proxy of Rwanda” to devastate and exploit valuable minerals from Congolese territory. Singer Tems is yet to reschedule her tour in Rwanda.
