The organisers of the controversial ‘Solidarité Congo’ concert have officially rescheduled the event, which was initially set for 7 April 2025 at the Accor Arena in Paris.
The original date coincided with the International Day of Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, drawing widespread criticism from officials and communities concerned about the insensitivity of the timing.
The concert will now take place on 22 April 2025, following mounting pressure from multiple stakeholders, including the Office of the Mayor of Paris.
In a statement, Mayor Anne Hidalgo warned that holding the event on 7 April was “likely to cause public disorder.”
Calls for the rescheduling also came from the Paris Police Prefect, the Rwandan Ambassador to France, and members of Rwandan communities both in France and abroad.
The organisers, the Haut Conseil de la Diaspora Congolaise (HCDC) in partnership with AEG Presents France, have confirmed a new date and released the updated artist line-up.
Maître Gims will headline the concert, joined by Dadju, Fally Ipupa, Youssoupha, Gazo, Stefflon Don, Ya Levis, and others.
However, Angélique Kidjo, who was initially expected to perform, declined to participate—even after the concert was moved to a different date.
By Elisa Uwineza/ The Kaminuza Star