US Sanctions Lead to Rwanda Army Ban; Canada Bars Russia/Belarus from Hockey

In recent developments, the United States has imposed sanctions on Rwanda's military, citing its alleged involvement in fueling the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. These sanctions, initiated in March 2026, led to the removal of the Rwandan army-backed basketball team, Armée Patriotique Rwandaise (APR), from the 2026 Basketball Africa League (BAL). The NBA, which operates the BAL, confirmed APR's exclusion following concerns raised by U.S. senators regarding the league's partnership with Rwanda amid the sanctions. Rwanda has consistently denied supporting the M23 rebel group in the DR Congo.

Concurrently, Canada has announced a ban on Russian and Belarusian national teams from participating in the upcoming World Junior Ice Hockey Championship, scheduled to take place in Alberta from late December 2026 to early January 2027. Prime Minister Mark Carney stated this decision is a direct consequence of Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine, which Belarus supports. This Canadian stance overrides a recent ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which had overturned previous exclusions and allowed for Russia's return to international hockey competitions.