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The North London club has confirmed that its much-debated sponsorship arrangement with Visit Rwanda will come to an end in June of next year.

Background and Scrutiny

The arrangement, said to be worth around £10 million annually, was initiated six years ago and has since come under fire.

This criticism is due to Rwanda's alleged support for the M23 rebel group in continuing hostilities in the eastern part of the adjacent DRC.

Earlier this year, Arsenal was accused of delivering an "outrageous" snub to the Congolese government by not arranging a meeting with Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner to discuss the partnership.

Partnership Structure and Objectives

Visit Rwanda operates as a branch of the Rwanda Development Board, which is a government department.

There is broad consensus that Arsenal entered into and continued this partnership primarily to expand their fanbase in Africa.

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

“Together, Arsenal and the Rwanda Development Board have exceeded the original goals of the partnership – supporting environmental protection and eco-friendly travel, motivating countless fans to explore Rwanda, and building a solid groundwork for visitor increase,” read an club announcement.

The announcement added that the partnership has also assisted Rwanda's goal of becoming an worldwide athletic destination in Africa and host more global sporting events while delivering local football projects that have helped hundreds of young players and coaches improve their techniques and encourage more involvement in sport across the country.

Management Opinion and Fan Backlash

Richard Garlick, Arsenal's chief executive officer, characterized the deal as a “major expedition” and claimed it had been “propelling” the club's ambitions.

Yet this view was contested by a segment of the club's followers, with the activist organization Gunners Supporting Peace demonstrating outside the club's home ground during the first semi-final encounter in Europe's premier competition against the French club in the end of April.

Activists unveiled a banner that read “End the Rwanda Deal” and distributed armbands to cover up the Rwanda branding on jerseys.

Industry Perspective and Fellow Clubs

During that period, Paris Saint-Germain renewed their partnership deal with Visit Rwanda for several more years.

Meanwhile, the Madrid-based team signed a fresh deal for the same period that has led to the emblem appearing on the Spanish club's men's and women's shirts.