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Arsenal Football Club has officially announced that its much-debated sponsorship arrangement with Visit Rwanda will come to an end in June of next year.

Background and Scrutiny

The arrangement, reportedly valued at around £10 million annually, was first established and has since faced significant scrutiny.

Such scrutiny stems from Rwanda's alleged support for the M23 forces in continuing hostilities in the eastern region of the adjacent DRC.

Months ago, Arsenal was accused of issuing a severe rebuff to the authorities in Congo by not arranging a meeting with the DRC's foreign minister to discuss the partnership.

Partnership Structure and Objectives

Visit Rwanda functions as an arm of the the country's development agency, which is a state institution.

Many speculate that Arsenal entered into and continued this partnership mainly to grow their following across the continent.

Nevertheless, the partnership has now terminated after both parties “mutually agreed” to part ways.

“Collaboratively, Arsenal and the Rwanda Development Board have outperformed the initial objectives of the partnership – supporting environmental protection and sustainable tourism, motivating countless fans to explore Rwanda, and creating a lasting foundation for tourism growth,” stated an club announcement.

The statement continued that the partnership has also aided Rwanda's objective to emerge as an worldwide athletic destination in Africa and host more global sporting events while implementing grassroots football initiatives that have helped hundreds of young players and coaches improve their techniques and inspire greater participation in sports throughout the nation.

Leadership View and Supporter Response

Richard Garlick, Arsenal's CEO, characterized the deal as a “significant journey” and asserted it had been “driving forward” the club's aspirations.

But that is not how a segment of the club's followers, with the protest movement Gunners for Peace demonstrating outside the Emirates Stadium during the first semi-final encounter in Europe's premier competition against the French club in late April.

Protesters displayed a banner that read “End the Rwanda Deal” and provided wristbands to hide the Rwanda branding on kits.

Broader Context and Other Clubs

In the same month, Paris Saint-Germain continued their sponsorship agreement with Visit Rwanda for several more years.

Meanwhile, the Madrid-based team entered a new agreement for the same period that has caused the logo being carried on the Spanish club's first-team and women's team jerseys.