Premier League leaders Arsenal will end their partnership with Rwanda at the close of this season, the country’s Development Board announced on Wednesday.

The Visit Rwanda sponsorship, launched eight seasons ago, has faced growing criticism amid escalating violence in the mineral-rich eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, which borders Rwanda. The DRC has accused Rwanda of backing the M23 rebel group, which has captured significant territory since resuming its insurgency in 2021.

The conflict has claimed thousands of lives and created a major humanitarian crisis, though both the DRC and M23 have recently signed a ceasefire and peace framework.

In April, Arsenal supporters staged protests over the club’s continued association with the campaign, whose logo features prominently on the sleeves of Arsenal’s match-day kits.

“Arsenal and the Rwanda Development Board have mutually agreed to conclude their partnership at the end of this season, bringing to an end an eight-season collaboration that saw Visit Rwanda become Arsenal’s first Official Sleeve Partner,” the Board said in a statement.

Rwanda continues to maintain other football partnerships, including with Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and Atlético Madrid.