Former DR Congo captain Youssouf Mulumbu has urged Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) to reconsider its partnership with Visit Rwanda, as he seeks to draw attention to the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in his home country. He highlighted that many people in DR Congo are “living in fear” amid the turmoil.
The crisis involves M23 rebels, allegedly supported by Rwanda, who have captured the strategic city of Goma and large areas in the mineral-rich eastern region of DR Congo. According to United Nations data, approximately 700,000 people have been displaced this year alone.
A group of UN experts has accused Rwanda of backing the M23 rebels and profiting from the smuggling of minerals from DR Congo. However, Rwanda has denied these allegations, asserting that its actions are solely aimed at securing its borders.
The conflict over Goma has reportedly claimed around 3,000 lives and resulted in human rights violations by both parties involved, a UN official stated.
“The situation is very, very hard and very painful, and all this conflict is based on finance,” Mulumbu told Newsday on the BBC World Service.
“It’s not a religious or territory war. It’s a financial war and people need to know that.
“I received lots of message from friends who are living in Goma. They just tell me they’re living in fear.
“There are kids living without their parents, women being raped and burnt in jail. The situation over there is unbelievable.”
Metals like tantalum, crucial for the efficient operation of smartphones, are mined from key areas now under M23 control.
Mulumbu visited Goma a month ago, prior to the escalation of the conflict, and shared that some of his friends have been directly impacted by the ongoing violence.
“My friend welcomed me in the city. During this fight, he tried to escape and he lost his wife. It’s just sad,” the 38-year-old said.
“I have no words to describe what is going on. It’s very hard for me, because I live away and I feel sometimes I’m useless.
“It’s been 30 years that Congo has been living in this situation and all we want is peace.”
‘Blood stained’ partnerships
Earlier this month, DR Congo’s Foreign Minister, Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, addressed a letter to PSG President Nasser Al-Khelaifi, urging the club to terminate its “blood-stained” partnership with Visit Rwanda, which began in 2019.
Similar letters were sent to Arsenal and Bayern Munich, challenging the ethical implications of their collaborations with Rwanda’s tourism board.
Yolande Makolo, a spokesperson for the Rwandan government, said: “Rwanda’s sports partnerships and the Visit Rwanda campaign brings so much joy to Rwandans along with jobs, more tourists and revenue.”
Last week Bayern chief executive Jan-Christian Dreesen told DW that the club had sent two employees to Rwanda to monitor the situation and was in contact with the German foreign ministry.
Arsenal and PSG have not responded to requests for comment.
“I want to thank the minister, because she did very big work,” former West Brom midfielder Mulumbu said.
“And all I know is that on a sponsorship, there is a financial part.
“We are going to do our best to inform [about] this deal and what’s behind it. I think it will be a big step if we can cancel this Visit Rwanda [partnership].”
A petition for PSG
Mulumbu began his career at PSG and made 22 first-team appearances for the club before moving to West Brom in 2009.
“I’ve been through the academy of PSG. They [taught] me about the value of the sport, unity, about ethics,” he said.
“It doesn’t match with this Visit Rwanda [deal].”
Mulumbu is backing a petition started by PSG fans which is calling on the Ligue 1 champions to end the partnership, and is then hoping to secure his own meeting with Al-Khelaifi.
The petition is aiming to gather 100,000 signatures and as of 12:00 GMT on Wednesday it had 68,500 signatories.
“I want to have a meeting, maybe with some people who can [make] a decision, and then we will inform them of this partnership and what’s going on in DR Congo,” Mulumbu said.
“I don’t want to put pressure on the club, because they are not the people who are doing it, but they need to be informed and then after that they will take their own decision.
“This is why we fighting and speaking up.”