Formula 1 May Fail to appear in Kigali

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has formally urged Formula 1 (F1) to end discussions with Rwanda over hosting a Grand Prix in Kigali, citing Rwanda’s military occupation of eastern DRC and its alleged war crimes in the ongoing conflict.

In a strongly worded letter to F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, DRC’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, condemned Rwanda’s alleged expansionist policies, warning that any association between F1 and Kigali would tarnish the reputation of the sport.

“Is Formula 1 really willing to have its brand tainted by a blood-stained association with Rwanda? Is it really the best country to represent Africa in world motorsport?” Wagner asked in the letter.

The DRC’s opposition comes after Rwandan President Paul Kagame confirmed at last year’s FIA prize-giving gala in Kigali that his country had formally submitted a bid to host an F1 Grand Prix.