The Democratic Republic of Congo’s foreign minister, Therese Kayikwamba Wagner, has called on European football giants Arsenal, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain to sever their sponsorship ties with “Visit Rwanda” in response to the worsening humanitarian crisis in eastern Congo.
The appeal comes as violence escalates in the region, where Rwanda-backed M23 rebels continue their offensive to seize Goma, a strategic city rich in gold, coltan, and tin. According to DR Congo’s health ministry, nearly 800 bodies have filled hospital morgues in Goma, while hundreds of thousands have been displaced, seeking refuge from the fighting between M23 and Congolese forces.
The United Nations has reported widespread human rights violations linked to the conflict, including summary executions, bombings of displacement camps, gang rapes, and other acts of sexual violence.
In letters addressed to the three clubs, Wagner questioned the morality of their financial partnerships with Rwanda, citing a UN report that claims around 4,000 Rwandan troops are active in DR Congo.
“Thousands are currently trapped in the city of Goma with restricted access to food, water, and security,” Wagner wrote, according to a statement from her ministry on Sunday. “Countless lives have been lost; rape, murder, and theft prevail. Your sponsor is directly responsible for this misery. If not for your own consciences, then the clubs should do it for the victims of Rwandan aggression.”
Rwanda, however, defends its actions, accusing Congo’s military of allying with ethnic Hutu-led militias intent on targeting Tutsis in Congo, a claim Kinshasa denies. DR Congo, in turn, accuses Rwanda of using M23 to exploit its mineral wealth.
“Visit Rwanda” has been a prominent sponsor in European football, striking a partnership with Arsenal in 2018, with the latest deal reportedly worth over £10 million ($12.39 million) per year. Bayern Munich entered a five-year football development and tourism promotion deal with Rwanda in 2023, while PSG has had a sponsorship agreement with “Visit Rwanda” since 2019.
The controversy surrounding Rwanda’s alleged involvement in the Congo crisis has also drawn political scrutiny. British Foreign Minister David Lammy told parliament last week that Rwanda receives over $1 billion in global aid annually, including approximately £32 million from the UK, warning that such assistance could be at risk due to Rwanda’s military actions against its neighbor.
As the crisis deepens, pressure is mounting on major European clubs to reconsider their ties with Rwanda, with DR Congo calling for immediate action to hold Kigali accountable.