View of an African F1 race circuit with spectators and race officials preparing for the event.
Formula 1 has announced that it is monitoring the escalating conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo amid Rwanda’s bid to host a grand prix. The DRC’s foreign affairs minister, Therese Kayikwamba Wagner, had questioned whether Rwanda, accused of backing the M23 rebels in eastern Congo, best represents Africa. She had urged F1 to rule out the nation as a host. Rwanda, vying with South Africa to stage Africa’s first race since 1993, now faces skepticism due to the conflict and the ensuing regional tensions. Rwandan President Paul Kagame announced the bid last December while attending Formula 1’s prize-giving ceremony in Kigali. The country is already constructing a state-of-the-art track near Kigali’s new Bugesera airport in anticipation of winning the bid. However, the initiative, part of Rwanda’s broader strategy to become a global sports hub, is now under scrutiny, as are other parts of its sports strategy.
Source: BBC