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Arsenal Football Club has confirmed that its contentious sponsorship arrangement with Visit Rwanda will terminate in the coming June.

Context and Criticism

The arrangement, estimated to cost around ten million pounds each year, was initiated six years ago and has since been heavily criticized.

Such scrutiny arises from accusations of Rwandan assistance for the M23 rebel group in continuing hostilities in the eastern areas of the bordering Congo.

Months ago, Arsenal was criticized for committing a disrespectful act to the Congolese government by failing to convene with the DRC's foreign minister to talk about the deal.

Deal Composition and Aims

Visit Rwanda operates as a division of the Rwanda Development Board, which is a public entity.

There is broad consensus that Arsenal committed to and continued this partnership mainly to grow their following across the continent.

However, the arrangement has now concluded after both parties “mutually agreed” to part ways.

“Collaboratively, Arsenal and the Rwanda Development Board have outperformed the original goals of the partnership – advocating preservation and responsible tourism, encouraging numerous followers to visit the nation, and establishing a durable base for visitor increase,” read an Gunners' release.

The release further noted that the partnership has also aided Rwanda's objective to emerge as an international sporting hub in Africa and welcome more worldwide tournaments while delivering local football projects that have assisted numerous youth athletes and coaches improve their techniques and inspire greater participation in athletics nationwide.

Executive Perspective and Fan Reaction

Richard Garlick, Arsenal's chief executive officer, portrayed the arrangement as a “major expedition” and stated it had been “advancing” the club's ambitions.

Yet this view was contested by a section of Arsenal's fanbase, with the campaign group Gunners Supporting Peace demonstrating outside the North London venue during the first leg of the Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain in the end of April.

Activists unveiled a placard declaring “Drop Visit Rwanda” and provided wristbands to conceal the Visit Rwanda logo on kits.

Broader Context and Other Clubs

Around that time, PSG renewed their partnership deal with Visit Rwanda for several more years.

Simultaneously, Atlético Madrid signed a fresh deal for the equivalent timeframe that has led to the logo being carried on the Madrid-based team's men's and women's shirts.