DR Congo Government Criticized for Allocating €90 Million to European Club Partnerships Amid Widespread Hunger

Last July, Spanish club Barcelona and the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo announced the signing of a four-year strategic partnership aimed at enhancing the training of young athletes in the country. Under this agreement, all Barcelona teams will wear the "Democratic Republic of Congo - Heart of Africa" logo on the back of their training shirts for the next four seasons. The partnership will provide Barcelona with 44 million euros, divided over four seasons.

French newspaper L'Équipe published a report titled: "Rwanda and DR Congo… African Sponsorship Fuels European Football But Causes Much Controversy." In this context, Olivier Kamitatu, the official spokesperson for the "Rally for the Republic" party, an opposition political party in the Democratic Republic of Congo founded by businessman Moïse Katumbi, former president of TP Mazembe club, made a statement.

Kamitatu criticized the contract signed with Barcelona, stating: "This contract is probably one of the most scandalous decisions ever made by the authorities of the Democratic Republic of Congo."

He added: "We have about 28 million Congolese suffering from hunger, and 5 million children suffering from malnutrition (a large part of the country, with a population exceeding 110 million, relies on humanitarian aid). Yet, the people discover that we are funding very prestigious and wealthy clubs… And if the goal is tourism, it is absolutely ridiculous."

The Democratic Republic of Congo has signed sponsorship contracts with three European clubs: Barcelona, AC Milan, and Monaco. According to local reports, the government has allocated 90 million euros for these contracts, to be paid over four seasons.