🔗 Share this article Arsenal's Debated Partnership Agreement with Visit Rwanda Will Conclude Next Year Arsenal Football Club has confirmed that its much-debated sponsorship agreement with Visit Rwanda will expire in June this upcoming year. Context and Criticism This deal, reportedly valued at around £10m per year, began in 2018 and has since been heavily criticized. The backlash stems from Rwanda's alleged support for the M23 forces in persistent fighting in the eastern areas of the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo. Earlier this year, Arsenal was criticized for issuing a severe rebuff to the government of the DRC by not arranging a meeting with Congolese diplomat Thérèse Wagner to address the sponsorship. Agreement Framework and Goals Visit Rwanda operates as a branch of the the country's development agency, which is a public entity. Many speculate that Arsenal entered into and continued this partnership mainly to grow their following across the continent. Nevertheless, the arrangement has now concluded after both parties “mutually agreed” to go their separate ways. “Collaboratively, Arsenal and the Rwanda Development Board have exceeded the initial objectives of the partnership – advocating preservation and sustainable tourism, motivating countless fans to visit the nation, and creating a lasting foundation for tourism growth,” stated an Gunners' release. The announcement added that the partnership has also supported Rwanda's objective to emerge as an worldwide athletic destination in Africa and host more global sporting events while implementing community soccer programs that have supported many aspiring footballers and coaches develop their skills and encourage more involvement in sports throughout the nation. Leadership View and Supporter Response Richard Garlick, Arsenal's top executive, portrayed the arrangement as a “important voyage” and claimed it had been “propelling” the club's goals. However, this perspective was not shared by a portion of the Gunners' supporters, with the activist organization Arsenal Peace Advocates staging protests outside the North London venue during the first leg of the Champions League semi-final against the French club in the end of April. Activists unveiled a sign stating “Terminate the Visit Rwanda Partnership” and provided wristbands to conceal the Rwanda branding on jerseys. Wider Landscape and Additional Teams In the same month, PSG continued their sponsorship agreement with Visit Rwanda through 2028. Simultaneously, the Spanish club entered a new agreement for the equivalent timeframe that has caused the logo being carried on the Madrid-based team's first-team and women's team jerseys.