Last updated on April 25, 2025
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A growing faction of Arsenal supporters—under the banner of Gunners for Peace—is urging the club to sever ties with Rwanda.
Image credit: The Athletic | Football
Arsenal Football Club’s long-standing sponsorship deal with Visit Rwanda is under intense scrutiny following the escalating humanitarian crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
A growing faction of Arsenal supporters—under the banner of Gunners for Peace—is urging the club to sever ties with Rwanda, arguing that the values of the club should outweigh financial incentives.
A Controversial Partnership
The controversy stems from Rwanda’s alleged involvement in the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC, where an estimated 7,000 people have died since January.
The Congolese government accuses Rwanda of arming the M23 rebel group—an allegation supported by both the United Nations and the United States but strongly denied by Kigali.
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Rwanda’s sponsorship deals with top European clubs, including Arsenal, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain, have come under fire.
Critics accuse the Rwandan government of using football partnerships for sportswashing—leveraging sports to divert attention from its alleged human rights violations and geopolitical activities.
Gunners for Peace: ‘Visit Rwanda’ No Longer Fits Club Values
In a bold and creative move, the Gunners for Peace group has launched a satirical campaign replacing “Visit Rwanda” with “Visit Tottenham”—a tongue-in-cheek jab that replaces Arsenal’s sleeve sponsor with their fiercest rivals.
The Gunners for Peace group has launched a satirical campaign replacing “Visit Rwanda” with “Visit Tottenham”
Image credit: The Athletic | Football
While humorous on the surface, the campaign sends a powerful message: Arsenal’s association with Rwanda, in the eyes of these fans, is morally untenable.
Campaigner Joe Mbu, a UK-based Congolese Arsenal fan, explains the emotional toll: “Among the Congolese community, people are cutting the Visit Rwanda logo off their Arsenal shirts. It’s a matter of pride and principle.”
Fellow campaigner Tresor Kudabika altered his shirt by covering the Rwanda logo with a patch of the Congolese flag.
“During our Champions League clash with Real Madrid, most Congolese fans were supporting Madrid,” he said. “That’s how bad it’s gotten.”
According to internal polling shared by Gunners for Peace, 60% of Arsenal fans back ending the Visit Rwanda deal.
The Business vs. Ethics Dilemma
Visit Rwanda’s deal with Arsenal began in 2018 and reportedly brings in over £10 million annually.
With the contract believed to end this season, all eyes are on Arsenal’s next move—especially after PSG recently renewed their own deal with Visit Rwanda until 2028, despite a petition with over 75,000 signatures urging them not to.
Yet, Arsenal remains tight-lipped. A club spokesperson declined to comment on the campaign, leaving fans and critics in suspense.
The Rwandan government, however, has defended the partnerships, touting their economic impact.
“The Visit Rwanda campaign generated nearly $650 million in tourism revenue last year,” a spokesperson told bbc sport africa. “Elite sport is no longer the preserve of a few. African nations deserve to be part of the global game.”
Diverging Fan Perspectives
Not all fans are aligned. Olivier Nemeye, secretary general of the Arsenal Rwanda Supporters Club, contends that the controversy is being exaggerated.
“The recent fan festival hosted in Rwanda, which brought together supporters from over 10 countries, reflects strong pan-African support for both Arsenal and the partnership,” he said.
Nemeye insists political disputes should be settled in diplomatic forums, not through football sponsorships.
Football, Mineral Wars, and the Human Cost
The underlying conflict in eastern Congo is deeply complex.
M23 rebels have seized mineral-rich territories, and accusations fly regarding illegal exploitation and regional interference.
While Rwanda claims self-defense against DRC-aligned militias, the human toll is staggering.
Both sides have recently agreed to a ceasefire pending peace talks mediated by Qatar, signaling cautious optimism.
What’s Next for Arsenal?
With the Champions League semi-final against PSG on the horizon and the spotlight intensifying, Arsenal’s response—or lack thereof—could set a precedent.
Gunners for Peace plan to distribute more armbands to cover the Visit Rwanda logo and are in talks with PSG fans for joint action.
