Democratic Republican of Congo has asked top clubs that have signed sponsorship deal with Rwanda, to terminate “Visit Rwanda” sponsorship, following ongoing war in Eastern region.
DR Congo’s foreigner minister, Therese Kayikwamba Wagner, has asked three clubs to consider their ties with Rwandan Government for “Visit Rwanda” ad, following several reports from international intels, say Rwanda is backing M23 rebels.
The DRC health ministry has reported a staggering toll, with nearly 800 bodies currently in Goma’s mortuaries, a grim statistic following recent offensives by the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group.
This conflict, primarily for control over the resource-rich eastern region, has displaced hundreds of thousands of people, further aggravating a humanitarian crisis that has persisted for years.
Wagner’s remarks come as the situation continues to deteriorate, with many residents of Goma lacking access to basic necessities such as food, clean water, and security.
Rwanda has denied direct involvement in the M23 rebellion, insisting it is acting in self-defence against Congolese forces allegedly supporting ethnic Hutu militias. These militias include groups responsible for the 1994 Rwandan genocide, many of whom fled to Congo. Rwanda accuses DR Congo of allowing them to operate freely, a claim Kinshasa denies.
The “Visit Rwanda” sponsorship deals have been a major part of the country’s global branding effort. Arsenal signed its first agreement in 2018, with the latest deal reportedly worth over £10 million ($12.4 million) per year, while Bayern Munich entered a five-year partnership in 2023. PSG has been a sponsor since 2019.
The UK’s foreign minister, David Lammy, recently warned that Rwanda receives over $1 billion in global aid annually, including £32 million in bilateral UK assistance. He stated, “All of that is under threat when you attack your neighbors.”neighbours
With international scrutiny mounting, pressure on these football clubs to reconsider their sponsorship ties with Rwanda is likely to grow.