- DR Congo's foreign minister publicly condemned Formula 1's plan to host an African Grand Prix in Rwanda, raising serious political concerns
- The race, announced on Tuesday, is set to be held at a circuit near Kigali in the early 2030s, marking F1's return to Africa after more than three decades
- DRC's Therese Kayikwamba Wagner revealed she had warned F1's CEO about the decision as far back as February 2025 and called for independent financial guarantees
The Democratic Republic of Congo has publicly condemned Formula 1's plan to stage an African Grand Prix in Rwanda, calling the decision morally indefensible and accusing the sport of providing a platform to an authoritarian leader whose government has fuelled conflict in the DRC.
DRC Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner issued a statement on Thursday, responding to Tuesday's announcement in which Rwandan President Paul Kagame appeared alongside F1 Chief Executive Stefano Domenicali and FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
The race is planned for a newly constructed circuit in Bugesera, near Kigali, in the early 2030s. It will be Formula 1's first race on African soil since 1993.
DRC Warns of Conflict-Linked Funding
Kayikwamba Wagner said she had raised concerns directly with Domenicali in February 2025, well before the announcement was made public.
"In February 2025, I warned Stefano Domenicali and the F1 authorities that allowing Rwanda to host a Grand Prix would be morally indefensible," she said in her statement.
"Giving Paul Kagame this platform would help polish the image of an authoritarian leader whose government has helped fuel a devastating war in our country."
The minister also called on Formula 1 to secure credible, independent guarantees that no funds connected to conflict minerals or the exploitation of Congolese resources would be used to finance the race.
The DRC, the United States, and UN experts have all accused Rwanda of backing M23 rebel groups operating in eastern DRC. Rwanda maintains that its actions along the border are defensive measures against armed threats. In March 2026, the United States imposed sanctions on Rwanda's military and four senior officers over the alleged support for M23 rebels. Rwanda rejected those sanctions, describing them as one-sided.
DRC Backs South Africa as Alternative Host
Kayikwamba Wagner confirmed that the DRC supports rival bids from South Africa to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix instead. She described the situation as an opportunity for F1 to demonstrate what the sport stands for to its global audience.
The DRC has raised similar objections to other Rwandan initiatives, particularly a series of high-profile sponsorship agreements between the Rwandan government and prominent European football clubs, which critics have characterised as sportswashing efforts.
Formula 1 has not publicly responded to the DRC's statement.
Source: Briefly News
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