US rapper Macklemore has canceled his October concert in Dubai, citing the United Arab Emirates’ alleged involvement in the Sudan civil war through its reported support of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The rapper’s decision, announced on Instagram, has brought renewed focus to the UAE’s role in the ongoing conflict, which has claimed thousands of lives in Sudan.
Macklemore, a Grammy winner, stated that he would not perform in the UAE until it ceases “arming and funding” the RSF, a force that has been engaged in fierce fighting with Sudanese government troops since April 2023. The UAE has repeatedly denied these allegations, but UN experts reported credible evidence in January that the Emirates had supplied weapons to the RSF from northern Chad.
The Sudanese conflict, which erupted due to long-standing tensions between military and paramilitary leaders, has resulted in over 18,800 deaths and displaced more than 10 million people. The UAE, which has participated in peace talks, has yet to comment on Macklemore’s statement.
Macklemore’s decision to cancel his Dubai show was influenced by his recent support for Palestinians in the Israel-Hamas conflict. He has been performing a new song, “Hind’s Hall,” in honor of Hind Rajab, a young girl killed in Gaza. The proceeds from this song are being donated to the UN relief agency Unrwa.
The cancellation was announced by the concert organizers, who offered refunds but did not provide an official reason at the time. Macklemore acknowledged that this move could jeopardize his future performances in the region but emphasized the importance of standing in solidarity with the people of Sudan. He also called on other artists to consider using their platforms for collective action.
The RSF, originally formed from Janjaweed fighters under former Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir, has been a key player in the current conflict. Al-Bashir, ousted in 2019, is wanted by the International Criminal Court for genocide and other crimes committed during the Darfur conflict in the 2000s.
Dubai has been working to attract top-tier performers to its venues, but the UAE’s tight control over speech and political sensitivities have posed challenges for some artists, including US comedian Dave Chappelle, who made headlines in Abu Dhabi earlier this year with his controversial comments on the Israel-Hamas conflict.
