An international festival dedicated to peace and set to take place in eastern DR Congo has been canceled due to security concerns, organizers confirmed on Thursday.
Known as the Amani Festival—meaning “peace” in Swahili—the event has long been a cultural highlight, drawing both Congolese and international musicians to the violence-stricken region. This year’s festival, marking its 10th anniversary, was scheduled to run from Thursday through Sunday in the city of Goma, a major urban center in North Kivu.
Since 2021, security forces in DR Congo have been engaged in intense conflict with the M23, a predominantly Tutsi militia that has seized extensive territories in the east, leaving Goma nearly encircled by armed rebellion.
Although a ceasefire agreement was signed in August, recent reports indicate violations, adding to the uncertainty surrounding safety in the region.
In a statement, festival organizers announced that the music and dance event, known for attracting tens of thousands of attendees, would not proceed this year. Earlier this week, Goma’s mayor declared the event “unauthorized” for “security reasons.”
“We are deeply disappointed,” organizers said, highlighting that the festival has served as an economic boost for Goma and played a role in promoting social cohesion in a region scarred by trauma from prolonged violence.
Among the artists scheduled to perform were popular French-Guinean rapper Black M and Congolese rumba star Ferre Gola. The event had already been postponed from its original date in February, making this cancellation another blow for festival supporters and residents of Goma hoping for a reprieve from conflict.
