Kagame Paid US$40 Million To Arsenal To Attract Tourists. The UK Government Says Rwanda Is Not Safe. Arsenal Has Also Collapsed. These Are Tough Times.
In 2018, the regime of Paul Kagame in Rwanda signed a three-year US$40 million sponsorship deal with Arsenal. For this money, the team wears a ”Visit Rwanda” logo on their sleeves. Supposedly, tourists would pour into Rwanda. Things have not gone according to the plan. Rwanda is not safe. The UK government describes Rwanda as follows:
”The eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) remains unstable, and the situation in Burundi has also become volatile with increased tensions and violence related to the ongoing political crisis, including deteriorating relations with Rwanda. There’s a continuing risk that the security situation in the region could deteriorate rapidly. You should remain alert to the possibility of military incursions, stray bullets and/or artillery fire entering Rwanda if you’re near the DRC or Burundi border.
On 15 December near Kitabi, on the edge of the Nyungwe Forest National Park, a military incursion killed a number of civilians. More recently, the Government of Rwanda have deployed additional military to the south west province to enhance security.”
Meanwhile, Arsenal has gone to the dogs. On April 28, 2019, Arsenal suffered third straight loss.
