Youssouf Mulumbu Urges PSG to Reassess Visit Rwanda Partnership…

Youssouf Mulumbu urges PSG to reconsider its Visit Rwanda deal amidst the humanitarian crisis in DR Congo, where violence and displacement are rampant due to M23 rebels, allegedly supported by Rwanda. The DR Congo foreign minister has labeled the deal ‘blood stained’, while Mulumbu is leading a petition against the partnership, advocating for awareness and an ethical stance from the club.

Youssouf Mulumbu, the former captain of the DR Congo national team, is urging Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) to reevaluate its sponsorship deal with Visit Rwanda. He aims to draw attention to the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in DR Congo, where recent violence has displaced approximately 700,000 individuals. This unrest has been exacerbated by the M23 rebels, who have taken control of Goma and are reportedly receiving support from Rwanda.

According to a UN report, M23’s activities have led to significant human rights violations, claiming about 3,000 lives during the struggle for Goma. Mulumbu stated, “The situation is very, very hard and very painful, and all this conflict is based on finance,” emphasizing that the conflict is rooted in economic issues rather than territorial disputes.

Mulumbu’s recent visit to Goma highlighted the dire conditions faced by residents, with reports of children being left orphaned and women subjected to violent crimes. “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,” he lamented, stressing the prolonged suffering of the Congolese people.

In a letter addressed to PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, DR Congo’s foreign minister described the Visit Rwanda agreement as “blood stained,” a sentiment echoed in letters to other clubs like Arsenal and Bayern Munich concerning their ties to Rwanda. In defense, Rwandan officials argue that such partnerships have a positive impact on tourism and local employment.

Mulumbu has expressed his gratitude towards the foreign minister for her efforts and stressed the financial implications of sponsorships, stating, “I think it will be a big step if we can cancel this Visit Rwanda partnership.” He has also initiated a petition aimed at persuading PSG to end its collaboration.

Having started his professional career at PSG, Mulumbu feels deeply connected to the club which taught him the values of sportsmanship and ethics. He is currently supporting a petition with the objective of gathering 100,000 signatures to force a reconsideration of the partnership with Visit Rwanda. As of a recent update, the petition had garnered 68,500 signatures, underscoring the escalating community support for this cause.

Youssouf Mulumbu’s call for PSG to terminate its sponsorship deal with Visit Rwanda arises from concerns over the humanitarian crisis in DR Congo, exacerbated by ongoing violence from the M23 rebels. His urgent messaging seeks to raise awareness while rallying the Congolese diaspora and football fans globally to support the initiative for justice and peace. With a petition gaining traction, the future of the partnership remains uncertain as the situation in DR Congo continues to unfold.

Original Source: www.bbc.com