The City of Paris has stepped in to block a planned “Solidarity Congo” concert, arguing that its scheduled date—April 7—overlaps with Rwanda’s national day of mourning for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Officials fear the event could worsen tensions between Rwandan and Congolese communities in France, especially given the ongoing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The concert, set to take place at the Accor Arena, was intended to raise funds for children affected by the war in the DRC. However, it has instead sparked controversy, with Rwandan officials and genocide survivors accusing some of the performers of promoting genocide denial. The Paris Mayor’s Office issued a statement on March 25 explaining that the decision to seek a ban came after concerns were raised by Rwanda’s ambassador to France, François Nkulikiyimfura, as well as leaders of Rwandan survivor groups.

According to the statement, the timing of the concert and the messaging surrounding it could lead to public unrest. “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 some of the artists set to perform, the Mayor of Paris believes this concert, on this date, risks causing public disorder,” the statement read.

The war in eastern DRC has deepened the rift between Rwanda and the DRC. The Congolese government accuses Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebel group, which has taken control of large parts of North Kivu province, displacing millions. Rwanda, however, denies these claims and instead accuses the DRC of backing the FDLR, a militia with ties to the perpetrators of the 1994 genocide.

Paris officials say that inflammatory comments on social media surrounding the concert have only strengthened their concerns. “Hate speech targeting Rwandans and Tutsis in response to this concert’s announcement has confirmed the necessity of canceling it,” the city’s statement noted.

Even UNICEF, which was initially listed as a beneficiary of the concert’s proceeds, has distanced itself from the event. The organization has not provided further details on why it withdrew its support, but the move suggests unease over the controversy surrounding the concert.

April 7 marks the 31st anniversary of the Genocide against the Tutsi, in which over a million people, mostly ethnic Tutsi and moderate Hutu, were killed in just 100 days. The genocide was orchestrated by the then-Rwandan government and carried out by the Interahamwe militia. Many of its members later fled to the DRC, where Rwanda claims they have been integrated into armed groups fighting alongside the Congolese military.

The request to ban the concert was formally submitted to Paris police chief Laurent Nuñez on March 10. The decision reflects the wider diplomatic tensions between Rwanda and the DRC, which have escalated as the conflict in eastern Congo drags on with no clear resolution in sight.

The war has not only destabilized Central Africa but has also created divisions internationally, affecting diaspora communities in Europe and beyond. In France, home to large Rwandan and Congolese populations, the conflict has occasionally spilled over into public disputes, making the planned concert a particularly sensitive issue.

While the organizers of the “Solidarity Congo” concert have not yet responded publicly to the ban, the controversy highlights how deeply the wounds of the 1994 genocide still run. For many Rwandans, April 7 is a day of mourning and reflection, and holding a high-profile event on the same date is seen as disrespectful, especially if some performers are linked to genocide denial.

The Paris Mayor’s Office has emphasized that its decision is based on maintaining public order rather than taking sides in the political dispute between Rwanda and the DRC. However, the move is likely to be seen as a victory by Rwandan officials and genocide survivors, who have long accused the DRC of failing to address the presence of genocidal forces on its soil.

As the diplomatic standoff between Kigali and Kinshasa continues, events like the “Solidarity Congo” concert risk becoming flashpoints for wider tensions. With no end in sight to the conflict in eastern DRC, such disputes may become more frequent, testing the ability of international communities to navigate the delicate balance between free expression and the prevention of hate speech.

For now, the concert remains blocked, and Paris authorities are standing by their decision. The situation serves as a reminder of how historical tragedies can continue to shape present-day conflicts, both in Africa and in diaspora communities thousands of miles away.