Arsenal, Bayern and PSG receive requests to review agreements due to the crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Arsenal soccer clubs, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain, received an appeal to reassess their sponsorship contracts with Visit Rwanda, amid a humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The request takes place while the Rebelde M23 group, supported by Rwanda, intensifies its military operations in the region, including gum taking, the largest city in East of RD Congo. The information was released by
The UN (United Nations) reported the deaths of 700 people and another 2,800 wounds because of conflicts.
RD Congo witnesses a massive displacement, with about 500,000 people forced to leave their homes in the eastern part of the country, now marked by the presence of 4,000 M23 Rwandan troops and activities. Rwanda justifies the mobilization of their troops as a preventive measure against the expansion of the conflict to its territory. However, UN experts point out that the Rwandan Army controls the operations of the M23, which aims to advance towards the capital of RD Congo, Kinshasa.
Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, RD Congo Foreign Minister, sent a letter to Arsenal, Bayern and PSG clubs, accusing the Rwandan government to support rebel groups responsible for “Rapos, murders and thefts” in Congolese territory. She argues that sponsorships with Visit Rwanda are linked to these atrocities, suggesting that the financial resources of these agreements may be fed by the illicit mineral mining at RD Congo.
Arsenal, for example, renewed its partnership with RDB (Rwanda Development Board) in 2021 for a reported value of $ 49.2 million. Bayern Munich and PSG also maintain agreements with RDB, Bayern defending their partnership amid criticism of “Sportswashing” by human rights groups.
