The Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, has called on city authorities to ban the upcoming ‘Solidarité Congo’ charity concert organised by a French-Congolese musician Maître Gims, scheduled for April 7 at the Accor Arena, citing concerns over public disorder and the event’s controversial timing.
In a statement released on March 25, the City of Paris noted that the choice of April 7 for the event was “particularly ill-chosen” given the significance of the date.
The statement also highlighted concerns over existing tensions between Rwandan and Congolese communities in France, which have been exacerbated by the ongoing conflict in the Great Lakes region.
The decision follows appeals from Rwanda’s Ambassador to France, François Nkulikiyimfura, and various Rwandan community organizations, including Ibuka France, Tubeho Family, and the Rwandan Community of France, informing the Mayor of Paris, raising concerns about the artist’s selection of the concert date
These groups strongly oppose the concert, arguing that its scheduling coincides with the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, a solemn occasion observed globally.
“Given the existing tensions between the Rwandan and Congolese communities in Paris—linked to the situation in the Great Lakes region—as well as the negationist remarks made by certain artists scheduled for this concert, Anne Hidalgo believes that holding this concert on this date is likely to cause public disorder,” the City of Paris stated.
The so-called ‘charity concert’ aimed to support children affected by conflict in eastern DR Congo. However, Rwandan organizations argue that it could be used as a platform to spread anti-Rwanda narratives and hate speech against the Tutsi, particularly at a time when Congolese Tutsi face renewed persecution by groups such as the FDLR, a terrorist militia composed of remnants of the 1994 genocide perpetrators.
The event was set to feature several high-profile artists, including Maître Gims, Youssoupha, and Gazo, among others. However, concerns have been raised about some performers’ past statements that have been seen as promoting revisionist narratives regarding the Rwandan genocide.
Adding to the controversy, UNICEF, which was initially named as the intended recipient of concert proceeds, has distanced itself from the event. In a statement released on March 25, UNICEF Rwanda clarified its position: “UNICEF is not associated with the planned ‘Solidarité Congo’ charity concert. UNICEF will not receive any proceeds from the event, and no person associated with UNICEF is part of the concert.”
The growing backlash, combined with the Mayor of Paris’ request to cancel the event, raises serious doubts about whether the concert will proceed as planned.
April 7 is the International Day of Commemoration of the Genocide Against the Tutsi, according to the UN, in which over a million people were killed. The remembrance day is observed worldwide, with Rwandan communities abroad holding solemn commemorative events.
By Elisa Uwineza / The Kaminuza star