The National Basketball Association disclosed that it withdrew Rwanda’s army-funded APR basketball club from the Basketball Africa League due to US sanctions targeting the Rwandan military. The NBA had previously announced the team’s exclusion but did not publicly state the reason until responding to inquiries from two US senators.
In a letter dated 23 October, Democratic Senator Jeffrey Merkley and Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn requested that the NBA reconsider its partnership arrangements with Rwanda. The senators raised concerns about the association potentially engaging in “sportswashing” by accepting funds from a government accused of systematic human rights violations. They questioned what standards the NBA applies when determining whether to accept money from foreign governments with documented abuse records.
The United States imposed sanctions on Rwanda’s military in March, accusing it of fueling conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Subsequently, the US also sanctioned Rwanda’s defence ministry over allegations it supports the M23 rebel group, which controls significant territory in eastern DR Congo. Rwanda has denied providing backing to the rebels.
NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum confirmed in the association’s response that the APR team had been withdrawn from the league following these sanctions, with the club set to remain excluded as long as the US measures remain in effect. The APR had previously competed in the BAL during 2024 and 2025, finishing in third place before being replaced by the RSSB Tigers.
Rwanda serves as an official BAL partner and pays the league to host finals at the 10,000-seat BK Arena in Kigali, generating millions of dollars in annual revenue for the NBA. The DR Congo has criticized Rwanda’s involvement in high-profile international sports partnerships, arguing these arrangements allow Rwanda to improve its international reputation while the conflict in the region persists.
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