Visit Rwanda signs new deal as Arsenal protests continue

Arsenal fans are protesting the club's sponsorship deal with Visit Rwanda. Meanwhile, Rwanda's tourism board has signed a new deal with Atletico Madrid.

Atletico Madrid will have Visit Rwanda's logo on their men's and women's team shirts next season. This is part of a three-year contract.

Rwanda has partnerships with Arsenal, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain. These deals are under scrutiny due to violence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Authorities report that 7,000 people have died there since January.

The Congolese government accuses Rwanda of supporting M23 rebels. Both the United Nations and the United States have stated that Rwanda denies these claims.

A group called Gunners for Peace is urging Arsenal not to renew its deal with Visit Rwanda. They believe this partnership does not align with the club's values.

The sleeve sponsorship is reportedly worth over £10 million ($13.3 million) annually. It is set to expire at the end of this season.

Gunners for Peace distributed armbands to cover the Visit Rwanda logo on kits. They also protested outside Emirates Stadium before Arsenal’s Champions League match against PSG.

Some PSG fans joined Arsenal supporters in holding a banner that read "Drop Visit Rwanda." PSG fan Chakib expressed solidarity for human rights despite being rivals in football.

Arsenal has chosen not to comment on the Gunners for Peace campaign. A Rwandan government spokesperson defended their sports partnerships as beneficial for the economy.

PSG recently renewed its partnership with Visit Rwanda until 2028. Bayern Munich's deal also expires in 2028, and fans have criticized these partnerships during games this season.

Rwanda aims to be a global hub for investment, tourism, and sports development through these deals. Critics accuse the Rwandan government of using sports to improve its image amid human rights violations—this strategy is called "sportswashing."

Kigali will host cycling's World Road Championships in September but plans for a Formula 1 race seem unlikely now. The Rwandan government claims its sports partnerships have significantly contributed to economic growth since 1994.

Jean-Guy Afrika from the Rwanda Development Board said Atletico Madrid’s values align closely with Rwanda’s ethos and transformation journey. The Visit Rwanda logo will appear on Atletico’s training kits immediately and on both teams' shirts next season.

An Atletico official noted that Rwanda is a country "in constant growth." The partnership holds great importance for Atletico’s international expansion goals.

Recently, foreign ministers from DRC and Rwanda signed an agreement in Washington DC regarding sovereignty and peace talks. This follows increased conflict due to M23's offensive actions since January.

Rwanda claims its forces act in self-defense against Congolese militias linked to past genocides. DRC accuses Rwanda of illegally exploiting its mineral resources, which Rwanda denies.

Last week, DRC and M23 committed to peace talks after discussions mediated by Qatar were described as constructive.

Tresor Kudabika, an Arsenal fan involved in Gunners for Peace, believes peace negotiations should lead Arsenal to end its deal with Visit Rwanda. He stated it does not reflect well on the club’s image during this time of conflict.

Bayern Munich fans displayed a banner criticizing their partnership with Visit Rwanda earlier this year during a game.