DR Congo urges Arsenal, Bayern Munich, PSG to end “blood-stained” agreement with Rwanda

DR Congo’s grievances against the clubs’ sponsorship agreement with Rwanda comes amid an ongoing crisis that has forced hundreds of thousands to flee as conflict between M23 rebels and Congolese troops escalates.

The violence has resulted in severe human rights violations, including summary executions, the bombing of displacement camps, and reports of gang rape and other sexual violence, according to the United Nations.

As reported by Reuters, Congo’s Foreign Minister, Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, reaffirmed this position in a recent statement, urging football clubs Arsenal, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain to sever their “blood-stained” sponsorship ties with Rwanda.

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s government has criticized Arsenal’s sponsorship deal with Rwanda, calling it “bloodstained“.

According to the DR Congo Ministry of Health, nearly 800 bodies were in hospital morgues across Goma following the M23 rebels’ offensive to capture eastern Congo’s largest city, a hub for lucrative gold, coltan, and tin mining.

The DRC’s foreign minister accused Rwanda of backing rebel groups responsible for violence, including rape and murder, in eastern DRC.

She urged Arsenal owners, Stan Kroenke and son Josh, as well as Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain, who have similar deals, to terminate their partnerships with Rwanda’s tourism campaign, “Visit Rwanda“.

Kayikwamba Wagner said in her letter to the Kroenkes: “Thousands are currently trapped in the city of Goma with restricted access to food, water, and security. Countless lives have been lost; rape, murder and theft prevail. Your sponsor is directly responsible for this misery.”

The DRC says that 500,000 people have been displaced in the eastern part of the country with 4,000 Rwandan troops active in the territory as well as the Rwanda-backed rebel group, M23.

Rwanda has sponsorship deals with three top European football clubs: Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, and Bayern Munich.

The four-year £10million-per-year ($12.5m) “Visit Rwanda” deal partnership with Arsenal began in 2018, followed by a deal with Paris Saint-Germain in 2019.

In 2023, the Rwanda Development Board announced a five-year partnership with Bayern Munich to promote tourism and establish a football academy in Rwanda.

The Rwanda government also has a partnership agreement with NBA Africa.