Rwanda Slams DRC’s Criticism of Arsenal, Bayern, PSG Sponsorship Deals as Threat to Peace
Rwanda has rejected recent criticism from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) over its sponsorship deals with top European football clubs—Arsenal, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain—calling it a threat to regional peace and stability.
Earlier this month, DRC’s Foreign Minister, Therese Kayikwamba Wagner, urged the clubs to cut ties with Rwanda’s “Visit Rwanda” campaign, labeling the sponsorships “blood-stained” amid the ongoing conflict in eastern Congo. She questioned the ethics of such partnerships while violence continued in the region.
In recent weeks, M23 rebels—allegedly backed by Rwanda—have captured key areas in eastern Congo, marking the worst escalation in over a decade. The conflict traces back to Rwanda’s 1994 genocide and the fight for control of Congo’s vast mineral resources.
On Thursday, the Rwanda Development Board, which oversees the sponsorship deals, dismissed DRC’s claims as misinformation and political pressure. “These false narratives not only distort reality but also endanger regional peace, stability, and economic cooperation,” the board said in a statement.
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DRC’s foreign minister did not respond to requests for comment.
The ongoing violence in eastern Congo has led to serious human rights violations, including summary executions, attacks on displacement camps, and reports of sexual violence, according to the United Nations.
Rwanda, however, insists it is acting in self-defense, accusing Congo’s military of collaborating with ethnic Hutu-led militias—some of whom were involved in the 1994 genocide against Tutsis and later fled to Congo.
“Visit Rwanda” launched its partnership with Arsenal in 2018, with the latest deal reportedly worth over $12 million per year. Bayern Munich signed a five-year deal with Rwanda in 2023, while PSG has been a sponsor since 2019.
When contacted by Reuters, none of the three clubs responded to inquiries about the sponsorships.
Rwanda Slams DRC’s Criticism of Arsenal, Bayern, PSG Sponsorship Deals as Threat to Peace
