Arsenal to end partnership with Visit Rwanda

Arsenal, the current leaders of the Premier League, are set to terminate their agreement with Rwanda by the conclusion of this season, according to an announcement from the African nations development authority on Wednesday.

The Visit Rwanda arrangement, established eight seasons previously, has faced mounting criticism amid rising unrest in the resource abundant eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, a nation that shares a border with Rwanda.

The DRC holds Rwanda responsible for supplying weapons and aid to the M23 group, an armed faction that has captured extensive portions of DRC land since launching its campaign in 2021.

This ongoing strife has resulted in the deaths of thousands and sparked a severe humanitarian emergency, even as the DRC and M23 recently committed to a truce agreement along with broader peace initiatives.

Back in April, Arsenal supporters voiced their opposition to the persisting collaboration, under which the Visit Rwanda emblem features on the arms of the players kits.

"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 stated.

Rwanda continues to hold agreements with prominent European clubs including Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, and Atletico Madrid.