Congo protests Formula 1's 'indefensible' decision to race in Rwanda
Rights groups say the deal lets Rwanda polish its image while Congo says it ignores support for M23 rebels and abuses in eastern Congo.
- On Tuesday, October 13, 2026, Rwandan President Paul Kagame joined Formula 1 Chief Executive Stefano Domenicali and FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem to announce a Grand Prix in Rwanda starting in the early 2030s.
- The race will be held at a circuit in Bugesera, near Kigali, marking Formula 1's first return to Africa since 1993. This follows Rwanda's previous high-profile sponsorship agreements with European soccer clubs to promote its brand.
- Congolese Foreign Minister Kayikwamba Wagner criticized the plan Thursday, stating it will "polish the image of an authoritarian leader." Congo, the United States, and U.N. experts accuse Rwanda of backing M23 rebels in eastern Congo.
- Kayikwamba Wagner stated Congo backs rival efforts from South Africa to host a race instead. She urged Formula 1 to require guarantees that funding is free from conflict-linked minerals or exploited Congolese resources.
- The United States imposed sanctions on Rwanda and four senior officers in March over their alleged support for M23 rebels. Rwanda rejected the sanctions as one-sided, stating they misrepresented the conflict in eastern Congo.
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The organization promised in 2030 in Rwanda of a Grand Prix of the discipline queen of motor sports divides: will there really be benefits for the country? ...
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Human Rights WatchF1’s Rwanda Race Could Be Bad News for Rights
By: Lewis Mudge © 2026 Jean Baptiste Nkurunziza/AFP via Getty Images Formula One’s decision this week to bring a Grand Prix to Rwanda in the early 2030s could be an important moment for Africa. The continent deserves more prominence on the global sporting calendar. But the 10-year agreement between Formula One and Rwanda also brings significant human rights risks. The Rwandan government’s repression means journalists and others who challenge the…
Formula 1 in Rwanda: More sportswashing or opportunity for Africa?
Formula 1 will return to Africa for the first time since 1993. There is concern Rwanda are using it as another sportswashing opportunity, but there is also hope the event's legacy can impact wider African society.
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