A Democratic Republic of Congo official has urged Formula 1 to cancel talks with Rwanda regarding a potential race amid the ongoing dispute between the two countries.
The active conflict is centred on the alleged support Rwandan forces have given to the M23 movement, a rebel group residing in the neighbouring province of North Kivu.
Rwanda has continued to dismiss such claims amid recent developments that have included the M23 seizing Goma in a clash which witnessed thousands die last month.
Rwanda, whose capital Kigali hosted the FIA 2024 Prize Giving Gala in December, has been pushing to host an F1 race amid the series’ ambition to expand to new territories.
Rwanda president Paul Kagame has led the prospective bid, which would take place at a new permanent venue close to the under-construction Bugesera International Airport.
But DRC’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Therese Kayikwamba Wagner has penned a letter to F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali calling on him not to continue talks with Rwanda.
“I write to express deep concern over Formula 1’s reported ongoing talks with Rwanda to host a grand prix in its capital Kigali,” Wagner wrote in a letter that City AM has seen.
“Rwanda is currently occupying a large part of the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo in collaboration with its proxy the M23, displacing over 700,000 Congolese citizens. While I applaud Formula 1’s desire to host a grand prix in Africa, I question whether Rwanda would be a choice that best represents our continent and urge you to end negotiations and rule Rwanda out as a potential host.
“Does Formula 1 really want its brand smeared by a blood-stained association with Rwanda? Is this really the best country to represent Africa in global motorsport?”
F1 is ‘monitoring’ DRC-Rwanda conflict
F1 has stated it is “monitoring” the situation while reiterating that a criteria prospective races will be held to is whether the host nation complies with the sport’s “values.”
“We have been closely monitoring the developments relating to the DRC and Rwanda and continue to do so,” an F1 spokesperson told Autosport.
“We have received requests from multiple locations around the world that wish to host a future Formula 1 race.
“We assess any potential request in detail and any future decisions would be based on the full information and what is in the best interests of our sport and our values.”
Rwanda’s strive to broaden its global appeal through sport has seen it partner with big-name football clubs such as Arsenal and PSG to advertise a ‘Visit Rwanda’ initiative.
The nation is now bidding to bring F1 back to the continent, with the series not having visited Africa since the last South African Grand Prix at the Kyalami circuit in 1993.
Speaking at the FIA Awards evening when Rwanda’s bid was made public, Kagame indicated that Domenicali and F1 had been receptive to the idea during their initial talks.
“I am happy to formally announce that Rwanda is bidding to bring the thrill of racing back to Africa, by hosting a Formula 1 grand prix,” he said.
“A big thank you to Stefano Domenicali and the entire team at F1 for the good progress in our discussions so far.
“I assure you we are approaching this opportunity with the seriousness and commitment it deserves.”
South Africa’s interest in F1 return
However, Rwanda is set to have competition as South Africa is also interested, with the government encouraging prospective hosts through an expression of interest process.
The document suggested South Africa was angling towards a 10-year deal starting in either 2026 or 2027, with Kyalami or a street track in Cape Town the two mooted options.
South African Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie, though, has insisted that Rwanda’s bid is not a rival movement and believes the nations could co-exist in F1.
“I hate this narrative of choosing between Rwanda or South Africa,” he said via The Citizen.
“I despise it because in Europe, you have seven races – no one questions if it’s Monaco or Italy; they have all seven.
“We are advocating for co-operation to ensure Africa has more than one F1 race. Truth be told, we can make the most compelling case for F1, but we should not compete with Rwanda.
“We should engage in dialogue to determine how we can support each other.
“We are larger in finances, we have a bigger motorsport community, and we have a track. We want to assist them, not compete.”
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