The National Basketball Association (NBA) has confirmed that Rwanda's army-backed basketball team, Armée Patriotique Rwandaise (APR), was removed from the Basketball Africa League (BAL) due to US sanctions imposed on the Rwandan army in March. The NBA had previously announced APR's withdrawal from the 2026 BAL but only now disclosed the reasons behind the decision.
US Senators Pressure NBA
The revelation comes in response to a letter from two US senators, Democrat Jeffrey Merkley and Republican Marsha Blackburn, who urged the NBA to reconsider its partnership with Rwanda. The senators accused the NBA of risking "becoming complicit in sportswashing by accepting money from a Rwandan government that systematically abuses human rights." They demanded a written response by November 2 and questioned the NBA's red line for accepting money from foreign governments that commit human rights abuses.
In its reply, NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum stated that the Rwandan team "had been withdrawn" from the BAL following the sanctions, according to ESPN. The NBA also indicated that APR would remain barred as long as the US sanctions are in effect.
Sanctions Over DR Congo Conflict
The US Treasury sanctioned the Rwandan army in March, accusing it of fueling the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Last week, sanctions were extended to Rwanda's defence ministry over its alleged support for the M23 rebel group, which has seized large parts of eastern DRC. Rwanda denies backing the rebels despite overwhelming evidence.
Rwanda is an official BAL partner and pays the league to host its finals at the 10,000-seat BK Arena in Kigali. The NBA reportedly receives millions of dollars annually for marketing and partnership rights. The BAL is a pan-African basketball league co-organised by the NBA and Fiba, basketball's world governing body.
APR's Performance and Replacement
APR is one of Rwanda's top basketball teams and represented the country in the BAL in 2024 and 2025, finishing third last year. It has been replaced by the RSSB Tigers this year. Rwanda has hosted all but one of the league's final and playoff matches since the inaugural season in 2021.
DR Congo's Criticism
The DRC has repeatedly condemned Rwanda's high-profile international sports deals, including with the NBA, European football clubs, and Formula 1, calling for them to end their campaigns. It argues that these partnerships help Rwanda clean up its global image while the conflict continues in eastern DRC.
The NBA's decision highlights the growing scrutiny of sportswashing, where countries use sports sponsorships to improve their reputation. The move also underscores the impact of US sanctions on international sports partnerships.
