The National Basketball Association acted after U.S. lawmakers challenged its commercial dealings with Kigali amid human rights violations. Washington penalized Rwanda's military and defence ministry for actively supporting the M23 rebel group operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Despite the club's removal, the pan-African tournament still maintains deep institutional ties with the host nation. Rwanda continues to pay millions annually to hold marketing rights and host the tournament finals in Kigali.
Key points
Armée Patriotique Rwandaise will remain excluded from the Basketball Africa League for as…: Armée Patriotique Rwandaise will remain excluded from the Basketball Africa League for as long as American sanctions persist.
Rwanda continues its multi-million dollar marketing partnership with the league despite t…: Rwanda continues its multi-million dollar marketing partnership with the league despite the exclusion of its military-backed basketball team.
The 10,000-seat BK Arena in Kigali remains the primary venue for hosting the league's pla…: The 10,000-seat BK Arena in Kigali remains the primary venue for hosting the league's playoff games and championship finals.
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- Published
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.
The NBA had previously said the Rwandan army-funded Armée Patriotique Rwandaise (APR) club would not participate in the 2026 Basketball Africa League (BAL).
However this is the first time the NBA has revealed the reasons behind the APR's removal.
The association was responding to complaints by two US senators, who sent a letter asking them to reconsider their partnership with the Rwandan team. The US placed sanctions on the Rwandan army, accusing it of fuelling the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo in March.
The senators said the NBA risked "becoming complicit in sportswashing by accepting money from a Rwandan government that systematically abuses human rights".
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. Rwanda denies backing the rebels despite overwhelming evidence.
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