Democratic Republic of Congo’s foreign minister, Therese Kayikwamba Wagner, said on Thursday that Formula 1 would risk improving the reputation of an authoritarian leader if it goes ahead with plans for an African Grand Prix in Rwanda.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame announced the race on Tuesday alongside F1 Chief Executive Stefano Domenicali and FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem. F1 says the event will take place in the early 2030s at a circuit that has yet to be built in Bugesera, near the capital Kigali. The series last raced in Africa in 1993.
Accusations over M23 rebels and regional conflict
The DRC, the United States and UN experts accuse Rwanda of supporting M23 rebels in eastern DRC. Rwanda counters that its security measures are meant to guard against armed groups operating across its border.
The United States imposed sanctions in March on Rwanda’s military and four senior officers over their backing of the rebels. Rwanda rejected the measures as one-sided and said they distorted the conflict.
Minister urges independent guarantees on race funding
In a statement, Kayikwamba Wagner said she had warned Domenicali and F1 authorities in February 2025 that letting Rwanda host a race would be morally indefensible. She welcomed the sport’s return to Africa but said the race would lend a platform to Kagame.
She said the DRC backs rival efforts by South Africa to host a race instead. Kayikwamba Wagner added that F1 should demonstrate its values and “require credible, independent guarantees” that no race funding comes from conflict-linked minerals or the exploitation of Congolese resources.
Earlier objections to Rwandan sports branding
The DRC has previously opposed Rwanda’s use of sport to promote its image, particularly its high-profile sponsorship deals with leading European football clubs.
