The Democratic Republic of the Congo has asked the NBA, along with Formula 1 and numerous major European soccer clubs, including Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain, to stop doing business with Rwanda as the conflict between the two countries deepens.

The UN reported in December that up to 4,000 Rwandan soldiers are fighting alongside the M23 against the Congolese army and FDLR militia group. Rwandan President Paul Kagame has denied accusations that his soldiers are in DR Congo, though he has also simultaneously sought to justify its presence and right to defend itself.

Rwandan president Paul Kagame announced last December, while the east African country hosted the FIA end-of-season awards gala, that Rwanda is bidding to host an F1 race as the sport eyes a return to the African continent for the first time since 1993. South Africa are also keen on a return to the calendar.

The Democratic Republic of Congo has asked the NBA to end the sponsorship deals of its Basketball Africa League with Rwandan entities, citing the occupation of Rwandan troops in country's eastern region,

The NBA, whose recent Africa expansion is centered in Rwanda, is the latest to receive a letter from Congo officials; soccer teams Arsenal, Bayern Munich and PSG and racing's F1 got similarly worded pleas in recent weeks.