The Democratic Republic of Congo has called on Formula 1 to end talks with Rwanda over it potentially hosting a grand prix in the future, amid the ongoing conflict between the two nations.
In a letter that has been sent to F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali (pictured above, right, with Rwanda’s president Paul Kagame) and circulated to media, the DRC’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner expressed her concern about Rwanda becoming a potential race host against the backdrop of a brutal war in the region.
Fighting in the mineral-rich eastern region of the DRC began in 2022 after an offensive launched by the March 23 Movement (23M) rebel group, which is reportedly receiving military support from Rwanda and its troops.
Peace efforts have failed several times over the years, and most recently there has been an escalation in violence as the rebels carried out an offensive on the city of Goma. This has displaced over 400,000 people in a move that caused diplomatic ties between the DRC and Rwanda to be cut.
As a result of the troubling situation, Wagner has urged F1 to rethink any idea it has of giving Rwanda an F1 race.
In the letter, she wrote: "I write to express deep concern over Formula 1's reported ongoing talks with Rwanda to host a grand prix in its capital Kigali.
"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."
Wagner’s concerns about the war, allied to questions over Rwanda illicitly mining minerals like copper, cobalt and lithium, which is the subject of criminal complaints lodged by the DRC in France and Belgium against Apple, are factors she thinks F1 needs to be aware of.
She added: “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?”
Last December, Rwanda’s president Paul Kagame announced at the FIA Prize Gala in Kigali that his country was bidding for an F1 race that could be held at a track being built at a new international airport.
But Rwanda is just one of the many options that F1 has to take grand prix racing back to the African continent, and Wagner has suggested it would be much better if South Africa was chosen.
“You have a choice. There are alternatives,” she wrote. “I understand that a South African bid is on the table to host the grand prix, which the DRC would wholeheartedly support.
“It would be a fitting (and easy) decision to make; South African soldiers, on peacekeeping duties in my country have been killed by the very regime you seek to do business with.
“For the sake of those who have given their lives in the name of peace, make the right choice and at least make their sacrifice worth something.”
Wager said she would be happy to discuss matters further with Domenicali if more information was needed.
F1 is aware of the situation in the DRC and Rwanda, and continues to monitor developments. It has also made clear that decisions on where races are held will always be made in the best interests of the series and its values.
An F1 spokesperson said: "We have been closely monitoring the developments relating to the DRC and Rwanda and continue to do so.
"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."
