The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has called on the National Basketball Association (NBA) to terminate its sponsorship agreements with Rwandan entities, citing the ongoing presence of Rwandan troops in eastern Congo. This request was made in a memo sent to Reuters on February 14.
The DRC’s appeal follows similar demands directed at other global organizations, including Formula One, which is in discussions to hold a race in Rwanda, and soccer clubs like Arsenal, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain, which maintain sponsorship deals with Rwanda.
In her letter to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, DRC Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner stated that continuing relationships with Rwanda could damage the NBA’s credibility. “By maintaining ties with a government engaged in violent expansionism, the NBA risks undermining its own credibility and moral standing,” Wagner wrote.
The memo focused on two key NBA sponsorship deals: one with “Visit Rwanda” and another with “RwandAir.”
The NBA responded through a spokesperson, saying the league would follow U.S. government guidance in all its operations.
The violence in eastern Congo, involving fighting between the Congolese army and Rwandan-backed M23 rebels, has led to thousands of deaths and displaced more than one million people since early 2022.
The Basketball Africa League operates 12 teams, including APR Basketball Club based in Kigali, Rwanda.
