A Congolese government official is urging Formula 1 to reconsider discussions about hosting a race in Rwanda. The desire for F1’s return to Africa has led to speculation that either Rwanda or South Africa could host a race as early as 2026. Last December, Rwandan President Paul Kagame publicly announced the nation’s bid for the event during the FIA’s annual prize-giving in Kigali. However, Democratic Republic of Congo’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Therese Kayikwamba Wagner, expressed significant concerns in a letter to F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali.
Wagner highlighted the ongoing conflicts between Rwanda and the DRC, particularly accusing Rwanda of collaborating with the M23 rebel group, resulting in over 700,000 Congolese being displaced. She questioned whether Rwanda is a suitable representative of Africa for a global motorsport event and urged F1 to end any negotiations with the country.
Rwanda aims to be the first African nation to host an F1 race since South Africa in 1993, proposing a new permanent circuit near a future airport in Kigali. Kagame has previously stated his government’s commitment to this opportunity. Meanwhile, Wagner is also advocating for major football clubs to withdraw their sponsorship deals with Rwanda, reflecting broader concerns about the nation’s political climate.