Arsenal, Bayern Munich, and PSG are urged to end their sponsorship deals with Visit Rwanda due to accusations of Rwanda’s involvement in supporting M23 rebels in the DRC, leading to significant humanitarian crises. DRC Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner has called for ethical reconsideration of these partnerships amid rampant violence and human rights abuses.
Three prominent football clubs—Arsenal, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG)—are under pressure from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) government to sever their sponsorship agreements with Visit Rwanda. This call follows accusations that Rwanda supports the M23 rebel group, which has contributed to a significant humanitarian crisis in the DRC, resulting in nearly 3,000 deaths.
DRC’s Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner expressed concern over the sponsorships during an interview, asserting that the clubs are associating with a country implicated in violent human rights abuses. She questioned how these clubs can ethically justify their relationships with Rwanda, given the ongoing conflict and suffering in the DRC, particularly affecting vulnerable populations, including children.
The situation in the DRC has deteriorated following the recent capture of the city of Goma, leading to a ceasefire declaration amidst widespread violence. Ms. Wagner emphasized that the humanitarian crisis is dire, with hundreds of thousands displaced and in need of assistance. She has formally requested Arsenal, PSG, and Bayern Munich to reconsider their lucrative sponsorship deals, reportedly worth about £10 million annually for Arsenal alone.
Responses from the clubs have been muted; neither PSG nor Arsenal has issued any comments while Bayern Munich has remained silent on the matter. Meanwhile, Rwandan President Paul Kagame dismissed the appeal from the DRC for the clubs to terminate their partnerships, suggesting that the DRC should focus on resolving its internal issues.
Wagner also criticized Rwanda’s involvement, likening it to an occupation under the guise of the M23 rebels. She urged the international community to impose strict sanctions targeting the Rwandan leadership and prohibit the trade of Rwandan minerals, accusing Rwanda of exploiting the DRC’s resources through forced labor. Wagner commended the UK’s recent firm stance against Rwanda’s actions but asserted that more immediate and stronger measures are necessary at the global level.
The call from the DRC government for major European football clubs to reconsider their sponsorships with Rwanda underscores the serious humanitarian implications of their financial associations. As accusations of human rights violations and violence looms against Rwanda, the clubs face a conflict between financial interests and ethical responsibilities. The situation demands urgent international attention and a reevaluation of such sponsorship deals in light of the ongoing crisis in the DRC.
Original Source: news.sky.com
