American rapper Macklemore announced the cancellation of his October concert in Dubai, citing the United Arab Emirates’ alleged involvement in “the ongoing genocide and humanitarian crisis” in Sudan through its reported support of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) fighting government troops.
Macklemore’s decision has reignited scrutiny of the UAE’s role in the Sudan conflict. While the UAE has denied supplying weapons to the RSF and its leader, Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, United Nations experts reported “credible” evidence in January that the Emirates sent arms to the RSF from northern Chad several times a week.
Sudan descended into chaos in mid-April 2023, as tensions between the military and paramilitary leaders erupted into violence, leading to over 18,800 deaths and displacing more than 10 million people. At a heated U.N. Security Council meeting in June, Sudan’s government accused the UAE of arming the RSF, a charge that the UAE denied. The UAE has participated in peace talks aimed at ending the conflict.
Macklemore cited requests from fans and his recent public support for Palestinians amid the Israel-Hamas war as factors in his decision. He acknowledged that canceling the show might jeopardize future performances in the region but stated that he would not perform in the UAE until it ceases its support for the RSF.
In his Instagram post, Macklemore emphasized his solidarity with the people of Sudan and questioned his fellow artists about the potential impact of collective action.
The RSF originated from the Janjaweed fighters under former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, who was ousted in 2019 and is wanted by the International Criminal Court for genocide and other crimes in Darfur during the 2000s.
Dubai, known for its major tourist attractions and efforts to attract A-list performers, has faced challenges in the past due to the UAE’s strict control over speech. Macklemore, who won Grammy awards in 2014 for his hit “Thrift Shop,” joins a list of artists who have publicly acknowledged the difficulties of performing in the UAE.