The DR Congo demands that the NBA revoke its sponsorship agreements with Rwanda

Citing Rwandan forces’ takeover of the country’s eastern part, the DRC has requested that the NBA terminate its sponsorship agreements with Rwandan organizations for its Basketball Africa League, the NBA said in a note to Reuters.

Similar requests to Formula One, which is in negotiations with Rwanda to host a race, and soccer teams having sponsorship agreements with Rwanda, such as Arsenal, Bayern Munich, and Paris St. Germain, followed by the memo.

According to a letter sent to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, foreign minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner stated that the NBA “risks undermining its own credibility and moral standing by maintaining ties with a government engaged in violent expansionism.”

Specifically, the document included two sponsorship agreements with “Visit Rwanda” and “RwandAir.”

Reuters spoke with an NBA representative, who stated: “We will continue to follow U.S. government guidance everywhere we operate.”

Since early 2022, fighting in eastern Congo between the army and M23 rebels backed by Rwanda has resulted in thousands of deaths and over a million displaced people.

There are twelve teams in the Basketball Africa League, including the Kigali, Rwanda-based APR Basketball Club.

“I suggest that the NBA consider whether its affiliation with Rwanda aligns with the league’s commitment to social justice and respect for human rights,” wrote Wagner.