Congolese Lives Matter: end the partnerships that whitewash Rwanda's role in eastern Congo
Petition to: Companies, sports clubs and federations, and governments that partner with or fund the Rwandan government
Background
UN experts have repeatedly reported that Rwandan forces and the Rwanda-backed M23 armed group are directly involved in the conflict in eastern DRC, where civilians have been killed, raped and driven from their homes. Around 7 million people are displaced in the DRC.
Despite this, major football clubs carry 'Visit Rwanda' branding, international sports events are awarded to Kigali, and donor governments continue budget support and partnerships with few conditions.
Many governments have condemned Rwanda, yet strong words have rarely been matched by real consequences. Businesses and institutions with commercial ties hold influence that can make a difference.
This campaign targets government policies and institutional relationships — never ordinary Rwandan people.
Our demands
- Formula 1, the FIA, teams and sponsors: cancel the 10-year Grand Prix deal with Rwanda and refuse any race there until Rwanda ends its support for M23 and withdraws from the DRC.
- Companies and sports clubs: suspend and publicly review 'Visit Rwanda' and similar sponsorships until Rwanda ends its support for M23 and withdraws its forces from the DRC.
- Sports federations: apply your own human-rights policies and stop awarding major events to Rwanda while the violence continues.
- Governments and the EU: make aid, trade and security partnerships conditional on verifiable human-rights benchmarks, and apply targeted sanctions where UN findings justify them.
- All partners: support accountability for abuses against civilians in eastern Congo and consult Congolese civil society.