Rwanda says DRC criticism of Arsenal Bayern and PSG deals threatens regional peace

LONDON - Rwanda on Thursday described recent criticism of its Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Paris St Germain sponsorship deals by the Democratic Republic of Congos foreign minister as a threat to regional peace and stability.

Earlier this month DRCs foreign minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner urged the three clubs to end their blood-stained sponsorship agreements with Visit Rwanda, questioning the morality of such partnerships while fighting raged in eastern Congo.

Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have seized a number of key towns and cities there in what is the gravest escalation in more than a decade of a long-running conflict rooted in the spillover into Congo of Rwandas 1994 genocide and the struggle for control of Congos vast mineral resources.

The Government of Rwanda rejects recent attempts by the Democratic Republic of Congo to undermine Rwanda’s international partnerships through misinformation and political pressure, Rwanda Development Board, which oversees the deals, said in a statement on Thursday.

These efforts not only misrepresent the truth but also threaten the foundations of regional peace, stability, and economic cooperation that we have worked tirelessly to build.

Congos Kayikwamba Wagner repeated her criticisms in a swift response, claiming Rwanda had more than 4,000 troops fighting alongside the M23 and pointing to the recent condemnation from the UN, the United States and other G7 nations.

The fighting in eastern Congo has led to human rights violations including summary executions, the bombing of displacement camps, reports of gang rape and other sexual violence, according to the United Nations.

The U.S. on Thursday made its most direct intervention in the crisis so far as it imposed sanctions on Rwandas government minister for Regional Integration, who it said was central to Rwandas support of the M23 militant group.

Rwanda says it is defending itself, accusing Congos military of joining forces with ethnic