Congo protests Formula 1 plan to race in Rwanda

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 15 Oct, 17:33 · Archive

Congo's foreign minister says Formula 1 would 'polish the image of an authoritarian leader' by holding a Grand Prix in Rwanda.

Formula 1 announced on Tuesday that it will hold an African Grand Prix in Rwanda in the early 2030s, with the race to take place at a circuit yet to be built at Bugesera near Kigali. The announcement was made by Rwandan President Paul Kagame alongside F1 Chief Executive Stefano Domenicali and FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem. F1 last raced in Africa in 1993.

Congo's foreign minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner said in a statement on Thursday that the race would 'polish the image of an authoritarian leader'. She warned in February that allowing Rwanda to host a Grand Prix would be 'morally indefensible'. While welcoming F1's return to Africa, she said Congo's government has been fuelling a devastating war in the country. Congo, the United States and U.N. experts accuse Rwanda of backing M23 rebels in eastern Congo, though Rwanda says its security measures are intended to protect against threats from armed groups across the border.

Kayikwamba Wagner said Congo backs South Africa's rival efforts to host a race instead. She called on F1 to 'require credible, independent guarantees that no money used to host the race comes from conflict-linked minerals or the exploitation of Congolese resources'. The United States imposed sanctions on Rwanda's military and four senior officers in March over their alleged support for M23.

Congo protests Formula 1 plan to race in Rwanda — Image: Clickorlando

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How it is being reported

Congo protests Formula 1's 'indefensible' decision to race in RwandaFormula 1 will “polish the image of an authoritarian leader” if it goes ahead with plans to hold an African Grand Prix in Rwanda, the foreign minister of neighboring Congo, Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, has said.Clickorlando · 15 Oct, 16:43
Congo protests Formula 1's 'indefensible' decision to race in RwandaFormula 1 will “polish the image of an authoritarian leader” if it goes ahead with plans to hold an African Grand Prix in Rwanda, the foreign minister of neighboring Congo, Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, has said.News4Jax · 15 Oct, 16:43

In this story: Formula 1 · Rwanda · Congo · Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner · Paul Kagame · Stefano Domenicali · Mohammed Ben Sulayem · M23

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