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Arsenal Football Club has officially announced that its much-debated sponsorship agreement with Visit Rwanda will terminate in June of next year.

Background and Scrutiny

This deal, reportedly valued at around £10m per year, was first established and has since been heavily criticized.

This criticism is due to the country's reported backing for the M23 rebel group in persistent fighting in the eastern areas of the bordering Congo.

Earlier this year, Arsenal faced allegations of issuing a severe rebuff to the Congolese government by not arranging a meeting with the DRC's foreign minister to address the sponsorship.

Agreement Framework and Goals

Visit Rwanda functions as a division of the Rwanda Development Board, which is a state institution.

Many speculate that Arsenal signed and maintained this partnership mainly to grow their following across the continent.

However, the deal has now ended after both parties “collectively determined” to go their separate ways.

“Together, Arsenal and the Rwanda Development Board have surpassed the initial objectives of the partnership – advocating preservation and sustainable tourism, motivating countless fans to explore Rwanda, and building a solid groundwork for visitor increase,” read an Gunners' release.

The release further noted that the partnership has also aided Rwanda's ambition to become an worldwide athletic destination in Africa and welcome more worldwide tournaments while delivering local football projects that have assisted numerous youth athletes and coaches develop their skills and inspire greater participation in athletics nationwide.

Leadership View and Supporter Response

Richard Garlick, Arsenal's top executive, characterized the deal as a “important voyage” and stated it had been “driving forward” the club's goals.

Yet this view was contested by a segment of the club's followers, with the campaign group Arsenal Peace Advocates staging protests outside the Emirates Stadium during the first leg of the Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain in the end of April.

Demonstrators showed a sign stating “Drop Visit Rwanda” and handed out sleeves to conceal the partnership emblem on kits.

Broader Context and Other Clubs

In the same month, PSG renewed their partnership deal with Visit Rwanda until 2028.

Meanwhile, the Madrid-based team entered a new agreement for the equivalent timeframe that has caused the emblem appearing on the La Liga side's first-team and women's team jerseys.