The National Basketball Association has removed the Rwandan army-backed Armée Patriotique Rwandaise (APR) from the Basketball Africa League, citing US sanctions imposed on the Rwandan army in March over accusations it fuelled the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The NBA’s deputy commissioner Mark Tatum said the APR team had been withdrawn following the sanctions; the NBA said it would remain barred while they are in place.
The association was responding to a letter from US senators Jeffrey Merkley and Marsha Blackburn, who asked the NBA to reconsider its partnership with Rwanda, warning of 'sportswashing'. The senators questioned 'what is the NBA red line for accepting money from foreign governments that commit human rights abuses?'
The US placed sanctions on the Rwandan army in March, accusing it of fuelling the DR Congo conflict. Last week, it also imposed sanctions on Rwanda's defence ministry over its support for the M23 rebel group, which has seized large parts of eastern DR Congo. Rwanda denies backing the rebels despite evidence.
The Basketball Africa League is a pan-African league co-organised by the NBA and FIBA. APR represented Rwanda in 2024 and 2025, finishing third last year. Rwanda has hosted all but one of the league’s final and playoff matches since 2021 and is an official partner, paying to host the finals at the BK Arena in Kigali.
DR Congo has repeatedly condemned Rwanda's sports deals, including this one, arguing they help clean its image while conflict continues in eastern DR Congo.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The decision highlights the intersection of sports and international sanctions, setting a precedent.
- It raises concerns about sportswashing, where countries use sports to improve reputations despite human rights issues.
- The case focuses attention on the DR Congo conflict and Rwanda's alleged involvement.
Background
The US imposed sanctions on Rwanda's army in March 2026 for fueling the DR Congo conflict, and later on its defense ministry. The Basketball Africa League was established by the NBA and FIBA, and Rwanda has hosted its finals since 2021. The APR team represented Rwanda in the league in 2024 and 2025.
Key Perspectives
Senators Merkley and Blackburn: Argued the NBA risks violating human rights commitments by partnering with Rwanda and asked for its red line on accepting money from abusive governments.
NBA: Stated that the APR team was withdrawn after US sanctions and will remain barred while sanctions are in place.
DR Congo: Has condemned Rwanda's sports deals, saying they serve as public relations to clean its image while conflict continues in eastern DRC.
What to Watch
- Whether US sanctions on Rwanda are lifted or expanded, affecting APR's eligibility.
- The NBA's future relationship with Rwanda, particularly regarding hosting BAL finals.
- Reactions from other international sports bodies with Rwanda partnerships.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedThe NBA removed Rwanda’s army team APR from the Basketball Africa League because of US sanctions.BBC News: “The National Basketball Association (NBA) says it removed Rwanda's army team from its African league because of US sanctions imposed on the country in March.”
- SupportedUS senators raised sportswashing concerns about the NBA’s relationship with Rwanda.BBC News: “The senators said the NBA risked "becoming complicit in sportswashing by accepting money from a Rwandan government that systematically abuses human rights".”
- SupportedAPR will remain barred while US sanctions are in place.BBC News: “The NBA said the APR basketball club would remain barred while the US sanctions are in place.”
- SupportedThe NBA said it removed APR because of US sanctions imposed in March.BBC News: “The National Basketball Association (NBA) says it removed Rwanda's army team from its African league because of US sanctions imposed on the country in March.”
- SupportedThe US imposed sanctions on the Rwandan army in March, accusing it of fuelling the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo.BBC News: “The US placed sanctions on the Rwandan army, accusing it of fuelling the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo in March.”
- SupportedNBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum said APR had been withdrawn from the league following the sanctions.BBC News: “In its response, NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum said the Rwandan team "had been withdrawn" from the BAL following the sanctions imposed earlier in the year, American sports website ESPN reports.”
- SupportedThe NBA said APR would remain barred while the sanctions are in place.BBC News: “The NBA said the APR basketball club would remain barred while the US sanctions are in place.”
- SupportedSenators Jeffrey Merkley and Marsha Blackburn asked the NBA to reconsider its partnership with Rwanda.BBC News: “In the letter to the NBA dated 23 October, Democratic Senator Jeffrey Merkley and Republican counterpart Marsha Blackburn gave the association until 2 November to give a written response regarding its continued partnership with Rwanda.”
- SupportedThe senators asked, “what is the NBA red line for accepting money from foreign governments that commit human rights abuses?”BBC News: “"What is the NBA red line for accepting money from foreign governments that commit human rights abuses?" the senators asked.”
- SupportedLast week, the US imposed sanctions on Rwanda’s defence ministry over its support for the M23 rebel group.BBC News: “Last week, the US also imposed sanctions on Rwanda's defence ministry over its support for the M23 rebel group which has seized control of large parts of eastern DR Congo.”
- SupportedRwanda denies backing the rebels despite evidence.BBC News: “Rwanda denies backing the rebels despite overwhelming evidence.”
- SupportedAPR finished third in the league last year.BBC News: “The APR is one of Rwanda's top basketball teams and represented the country in the African league in 2024 and 2025, when it came third.”