Premier League leaders Arsenal will end their partnership deal with Rwanda at the conclusion of the season, the African country’s development board stated Wednesday.
The Visit Rwanda pact, which was struck eight seasons ago, had come under growing scrutiny as conflict escalated in the mineral-rich eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, which borders Rwanda.
The DRC accuses Rwanda of equipping and backing the M23 militia, which has captured large portions of DRC territory since taking up weapons in 2021.
The fighting has killed thousands of people and caused a humanitarian crisis, despite the fact that the DRC and M23 have recently signed a ceasefire agreement and peace framework.
In April, Arsenal fans criticized the ongoing agreement, which includes the Visit Rwanda badge on the sleeves of the players’ jerseys.
“Arsenal and the Rwanda Development Board have mutually agreed to conclude their partnership at the end of this season, bringing to a close an eight-season collaboration that included Visit Rwanda as Arsenal’s first Official Sleeve Partner,” the Rwanda Development Board said in a statement.
Rwanda still has partnerships with European powerhouses Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, and Atletico Madrid.
