S Poddar
The cancellation of rapper Macklemore’s concert in Dubai brings into the contemporary world a highly interesting moral debate on the consequences of performing in states whose human rights records are questionable. While many fans thought that his move was to show solidarity to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, it was actually a powerful statement against war in Sudan.
The Sudan war, between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces, has traumatized the whole nation with violence and humanitarian crises. It is a war that has taken away tens of thousands of lives, made other people flee, and brought about conditions that threaten the lives of millions with famine. It’s amidst such suffering that the UAE, of which Dubai is the biggest city, has been accused of arming the RSF, a paramilitary group suspected of atrocities including genocide.
Indeed, the reason behind Macklemore’s decision was a deep sense of moral responsibility. On Instagram, he announced that he could no longer reconcile his various beliefs with the financial gain of performing in a city connected with such a horrific conflict. He wondered how he could justify taking money, knowing it would be indirectly used to support a war that caused immense suffering.
His stance has since opened a much larger debate about the position of artists concerning the injustices of the world. Some say artists must remain apolitical and that all attention must be placed on their art, while others say it is a moral duty to do more with their platform than just this. Macklemore’s decision is very much one of example, proving even an action as small as this one can mean quite a lot.
The Sudanese conflict has received only a fraction of the world attention that the wars in Ukraine or Gaza are receiving, though it is no less destructive. Macklemore’s cancelation has brought the crisis to a wider audience, facilitating conversations and raising awareness among his fans. Activists and humanitarian organizations say they hope he pressures other artists to do the same and uses their huge platforms in calling for a ceasefire, helping the people in Sudan.
Thus, the involvement of the UAE in the Sudanese conflict makes for a very complicated situation with huge geopolitical consequences. The RSF itself has roots in the Janjaweed militia that committed the genocide in Darfur and has been accused of similar atrocities in recent years. Evidence of the UAE’s connection to the RSF-drones, weapons, and more-kept piling up, raising red flags on its role in perpetuating the conflict.
While the humanitarian situation in Sudan keeps growing worse and worse, the international community needs to take immediate action to deal with the root causes of this conflict and provide urgent assistance to affected people. It is a major move by Macklemore canceling his concert, putting front-line attention on awareness of the crisis and pressuring the UAE and other involved actors to cease violence and support a peaceful resolution.
