Conflict threatens to derail Rwanda’s African F1 bid
Rebel fighting in the Congo could be good news for a South African F1 bid, looking to host a race for the first time in 30 years …
The future of an African F1 bid appears to be turning in South Africa’s favour. The Congo has thrown an unlikely spanner in the works of neighbouring Rwanda’s certain plans to host an F1 race. Late last year, when the Rwandan capital Kigali hosted the FIA’s prize-giving gala, President Paul Kagama took the opportunity to formalise the country’s African F1 bid. At roughly the same time, Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie announced a steering committee for its own South African F1 bid.
However, a month later, the fate of a potential African F1 bid may already be sealed. Rwandan-backed rebels captured the Congolese city of Goma, near the Rwandan border. And 14 South African soldiers were killed in the conflict. In response, the United Nations (UN) condemned Rwanda’s alleged support of the rebel group M23. The UN claims that the violence has already resulted in thousands of deaths, while President Cyril Ramaphosa vows that South African support for the DRC ‘will not let up’.
AFRICAN F1 BID IN JEOPARDY
However, Congo’s foreign affairs minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner has now written a letter to F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali. In it she declares F1’s talks with Rwanda to be ‘deeply concerning’. In the letter she writes: “While I applaud Formula 1’s desire to entertain an African F1 bid, I must question whether Rwanda would be a choice that best represents our continent. I 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?”
When asked for comment on the letter, a spokesperson for F1 said they are ‘closely monitoring’ the situation in Rwanda. “We have received inquiries from several organisers around the world wishing to host a Formula 1 race in the future. We assess any potential request in detail and any future decisions are based on full information and on what is in the best interests of the sport and our values,” concluded the spokeperson. – with GMM
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