Former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu has ignited a firestorm of controversy by publicly condemning the club’s lucrative “Visit Rwanda” sponsorship deal. Mulumbu’s outspoken criticism comes amidst mounting evidence of Rwanda’s alleged support for the M23 rebel group, responsible for heinous human rights abuses in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The rebel group’s brutal campaign in Goma has left a trail of devastation, including massacres, rapes, and forced displacement of hundreds of thousands of civilians. By partnering with Rwanda, PSG is inadvertently legitimizing a regime accused of fueling violence and instability in the region. Mulumbu’s courageous stance raises critical questions about the moral responsibility of global brands and sports institutions to uphold human rights standards and avoid complicity in atrocities.

Former DR Congo captain Youssouf Mulumbu is urging Paris St-Germain to reconsider its partnership with Visit Rwanda as he seeks to raise awareness of the conflict and humanitarian crisis in his homeland, where many are “living in fear.” 

M23 rebels, allegedly backed by Rwanda, have taken control of the strategic frontier city of Goma and large areas of DR Congo’s mineral-rich east. According to the latest United Nations figures, approximately 700,000 people have been displaced this year.

A group of UN experts has accused Rwanda of not only supporting the M23 rebels but also profiting from the smuggling of mineral wealth into the country. 

Rwanda has denied these allegations, stating that its only concern is securing its border. 

According to a UN official, the battle for control of Goma resulted in approximately 3,000 deaths and involved human rights violations committed by both sides.

“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 messages from friends who are living in Goma. They just tell me they’re living in fear.

“Kids are living without their parents, women being raped and burnt in jail. The situation over there is unbelievable.”

Metals like tantalum, crucial for the efficient functioning of smartphones, are being extracted from key mining areas now controlled by the M23. 

Mulumbu visited Goma a month ago before the fighting escalated, and some of his friends have been directly impacted by the conflict.

“My friend welcomed me into 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.”

Earlier this month, DR Congo’s Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner wrote to PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, urging the club to terminate its “blood-stained” sponsorship deal with Visit Rwanda, which began in 2019. 

Similar letters were also sent to Arsenal and Bayern Munich, challenging the ethics of their partnerships with Rwanda’s tourism board.

A spokesperson  for the Rwandan government, Yolande Makolo, stated: “Rwanda’s sports partnerships and the Visit Rwanda campaign bring so much joy to Rwandans along with jobs, more tourists and revenue.”

Last week, Bayern Munich CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen told DW that the club had sent two employees to Rwanda to assess the situation and was in communication with the German foreign ministry. 

Arsenal and PSG have not yet 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- deal”

“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- partnership.”

Mulumbu started his career at PSG, making 22 first-team appearances before joining West Brom in 2009.

Mulumbu is supporting a petition launched by PSG fans urging the Ligue 1 champions to end their partnership with Visit Rwanda. He also hopes to secure a personal meeting with club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi. 

The petition aims to collect 100,000 signatures and has reached 68,500 as of 12:00 GMT on Wednesday.

“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 stated.

“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 are fighting and speaking up.”