The Democratic Republic of the Congo has asked the NBA to end the sponsorship deals of its Basketball Africa League with Rwandan entities, citing the occupation of Rwandan troops in the country’s eastern region, a memo sent to Reuters said.
The memo comes after similar appeals to Formula One, which is in talks with Rwanda to host a race, and soccer clubs including Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Paris St Germain that have sponsorship deals with Rwanda.
“By maintaining ties with a government engaged in violent expansionism, the NBA risks undermining its own credibility and moral standing,” Congolese Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Therese Kayikwamba Wagner said in a letter to NBA commissioner Adam Silver.
Photo: AP
The memo cited two sponsorship deals in particular, with “Visit Rwanda” and “RwandAir.”
Asked about the request, an NBA spokesperson said: “We will continue to follow US government guidance everywhere we operate.”
Fighting between the army and Rwandan-backed M23 rebels in eastern Congo has killed thousands since early 2022 and displaced more than 1 million people.
The Basketball Africa League operates 12 teams out of Kigali, Rwanda.
“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,” Wagner wrote.
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