# NBA Removes Rwandan Army Team Following US Sanctions US sanctions over DR Congo conflict force NBA to exclude Rwandan military basketball club. - **Source:** [BBC News – Africa](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world/africa) - **Published:** 2026-11-04 - **Topic:** [sports](https://brifing.si/c/sports) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/b0dad111-2c59-48af-947f-8da5625c4536 ## NBA Removes Rwandan Team The National Basketball Association has officially removed the Armée Patriotique Rwandaise basketball club from the Basketball Africa League. This decision follows the imposition of US sanctions on the Rwandan military in March. The league confirmed that the team will remain barred from future competition as long as these specific American sanctions remain active. ## Political Pressure from Senators Democratic Senator Jeffrey Merkley and Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn initiated the inquiry into the NBA partnership. In an October letter, they demanded clarification on the league's ethical standards regarding foreign government funding. They specifically questioned how the association reconciles its stated commitment to justice with accepting financial support from a sanctioned entity. ## Sanctions and Regional Conflict The US government sanctioned the Rwandan defense ministry due to its alleged support for the M23 rebel group. This militia has seized significant territory in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. While Rwanda consistently denies backing these rebels, the US maintains that the military is actively fueling the ongoing conflict in the region. ## Sportswashing Allegations Surface US lawmakers accused the NBA of risking complicity in sportswashing by maintaining financial ties with the Rwandan government. Critics argue that such high-profile sports deals are used to improve the country's global image despite documented human rights abuses. The DR Congo government has repeatedly urged international partners to end these lucrative marketing agreements. ## Financial Stakes of Partnership Rwanda serves as a primary partner for the Basketball Africa League, paying millions annually for marketing rights. The country frequently hosts the league's finals at the 10,000-seat BK Arena in Kigali. Since the league's inception in 2021, Rwanda has hosted almost every playoff and final match, solidifying its role as a central hub. ## Impact on League Operations The APR club, which finished third in the league last year, was replaced by the RSSB Tigers for the current season. The Basketball Africa League is a professional competition featuring twelve clubs from across the continent, co-organized by the NBA and Fiba. This exclusion marks a significant shift in the league's operational landscape. ## Broader Diplomatic Tensions The conflict in eastern DR Congo remains a major point of contention for international observers and regional neighbors. Beyond basketball, Rwanda maintains various high-profile sports deals with European football clubs and Formula 1. These partnerships are now under increased scrutiny as international bodies evaluate their financial ties to the Rwandan government's activities. ## Future of League Partnerships This development highlights the growing intersection of professional sports, international diplomacy, and human rights accountability. The NBA's response indicates that US federal sanctions now directly dictate the eligibility of teams within their international leagues. Observers will monitor whether other global sports organizations follow this precedent when dealing with sanctioned state-funded entities. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c699zdx9knmpo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._