NBA removes Rwandan army team from African league due to US sanctions
The association confirmed the Armée Patriotique Rwandaise club was withdrawn from the Basketball Africa League following sanctions imposed in March.
The National Basketball Association (NBA) has removed Rwanda's army-funded Armée Patriotique Rwandaise (APR) club from the Basketball Africa League (BAL), according to BBC News. The association stated the team was withdrawn because of US sanctions imposed on the country in March.
The decision follows a letter sent by US Senators Jeffrey Merkley and Marsha Blackburn to the NBA. The senators asked the association to reconsider its partnership with Rwanda, suggesting the NBA risked sportswashing by accepting funds from a government that systematically abuses human rights.
The US previously accused the Rwandan army of fueling conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Last week, the US also sanctioned Rwanda's defence ministry for supporting the M23 rebel group, which has taken control of significant areas in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Rwanda denies supporting the rebels.
NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum said the APR club would remain barred from the BAL while the US sanctions are in place. The APR, which finished third in the BAL in 2024 and 2025, was replaced by the RSSB Tigers this year.
The BAL is a professional league co-organised by the NBA and Fiba. Rwanda is an official partner and pays the league to hold its finals at the BK Arena in Kigali. The senators have requested a written response from the NBA by 2 November regarding its ongoing partnership with Rwanda.
