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Arsenal Football Club has officially announced that its disputed sponsorship arrangement with Visit Rwanda will terminate in June of next year.

Context and Criticism

The partnership, said to be worth around £10 million annually, was first established and has since been heavily criticized.

The backlash arises from Rwanda's alleged support for the M23 militia in persistent fighting in the eastern part of the adjacent DRC.

In February, Arsenal was criticized for issuing a severe rebuff to the Congolese government by not arranging a meeting with Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner to discuss the partnership.

Deal Composition and Aims

Visit Rwanda functions as a division of the Rwanda Development Board, which is a government department.

Many speculate that Arsenal entered into and continued this partnership mainly to grow their fanbase in Africa.

Nevertheless, the arrangement has now concluded after both parties “mutually agreed” to go their separate ways.

“Together, Arsenal and the Rwanda Development Board have exceeded the primary aims of the partnership – advocating preservation and sustainable tourism, motivating countless fans to explore Rwanda, and building a solid groundwork for tourism growth,” declared an official Arsenal statement.

The statement continued that the partnership has also supported Rwanda's goal of becoming an international sporting hub in Africa and welcome more worldwide tournaments while executing local football projects that have helped hundreds of young players and coaches enhance their abilities and inspire greater participation in athletics nationwide.

Executive Perspective and Fan Reaction

Richard Garlick, Arsenal's CEO, described the partnership as a “significant journey” and claimed it had been “driving forward” the club's ambitions.

However, this perspective was not shared by a portion of the Gunners' supporters, with the protest movement Gunners Supporting Peace holding rallies outside the North London venue during the initial Champions League semi-final match against Paris Saint-Germain in late April.

Protesters displayed a banner that read “End the Rwanda Deal” and handed out sleeves to conceal the partnership emblem on kits.

Wider Landscape and Additional Teams

During that period, the French champions continued their sponsorship agreement with Visit Rwanda for several more years.

Simultaneously, Atlético Madrid inked a recent contract for the equivalent timeframe that has led to the logo being carried on the La Liga side's men's and women's shirts.