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DR Congo Demands Arsenal, PSG & Bayern End ‘Visit Rwanda’ Sponsorships Over M23 Crisis
The Democratic Republic of Congo is calling on European football giants—Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, and Bayern Munich—to cut ties with Rwanda’s tourism campaign, ‘Visit Rwanda.’ Why? Because, according to Congo, their sponsor’s hands are stained with blood.
Congo’s foreign minister, Therese Kayikwamba Wagner, has written to these clubs, urging them to reconsider their deals with ‘Visit Rwanda.’ This comes as the M23 rebels—who are backed by Rwanda, according to the UN—continue their deadly offensive in eastern Congo, causing a humanitarian catastrophe.
Nearly 800 bodies lie in Goma’s hospital morgues, victims of the escalating violence. Hundreds of thousands have fled, and reports of human rights abuses—including summary executions and sexual violence—are emerging. The Congolese government argues that by promoting ‘Visit Rwanda,’ these football clubs are indirectly supporting a country accused of fueling this crisis.
Arsenal’s ‘Visit Rwanda’ deal, signed in 2018, is worth over £10 million per year. Bayern Munich joined in 2023, and PSG has been a partner since 2019. The logo is prominently displayed on player sleeves and in stadiums across Europe. However, as violence continues to escalate in eastern Congo, the DRC government is pushing back against what it describes as “bloodstained sponsorship deals.
Congo’s Foreign Minister addressed a letter to the football clubs, stating: “Countless lives have been lost. Rape, murder, and theft prevail. Your sponsor is directly responsible for this misery. If not for your conscience, then the clubs should end their sponsorship agreement for the victims of Rwandan aggression.”
Rwanda has long used sports sponsorships to cultivate a progressive and modern international image. Beyond football, Rwanda has also secured agreements with the UCI Road World Championships and is seeking to host Formula 1 races in the near future.
While these sponsorships project an image of Rwanda as a “modern, progressive, clean, and safe African country,” they simultaneously obscure its alleged role in destabilizing eastern Congo. According to reports by the United Nations and the G7, Rwanda is accused of backing the M23 rebels. A recent UN report suggested that as many as 4,000 Rwandan troops are actively involved in the conflict.
The issue has drawn attention from global leaders, with Britain’s Foreign Minister recently stating in Parliament that Rwanda receives approximately $1 billion in foreign aid annually, including $32 million from the UK. However, he warned that such aid could be at risk due to Rwanda’s alleged military actions.
Germany has already suspended talks on bilateral aid with Rwanda, and analysts argue that similar measures could force a shift in Rwanda’s policies. Wrong noted that a similar situation arose in 2012 when international donors froze $240 million in aid, prompting M23 rebels to disperse. She suggested that a comparable approach today could yield the same results.
But Rwanda denies these accusations. It claims it is only defending itself, accusing Congo’s military of working with Rwandan militias—groups linked to the 1994 genocide. The Rwandan government has long rejected allegations that it exploits Congolese minerals through M23. However, numerous reports from the UN, the US, the EU, and other key global players point to Rwanda’s military involvement in eastern Congo. A recent emergency UN Security Council meeting saw multiple diplomats assert that M23 is heavily backed by Rwanda, with reports suggesting that up to 7,500 Rwandan troops are active in the region.
As scrutiny over Rwanda’s actions intensifies, European football clubs will face increasing calls to reconsider their sponsorship agreements. The ongoing violence in eastern Congo, coupled with potential foreign aid cuts, places additional pressure on Rwanda and its international partnerships. Whether football clubs heed the DRC’s plea remains to be seen, but the controversy highlights the broader intersection of sports, politics, and human rights on the global stage.
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Published Feb 3, 2025
