WHY it’s not only SA questioning 10-year Rwanda F1 deal

A new 10-year Rwanda F1 deal to bring top-flight motor racing back to Africa for the first time in three decades has drawn strong criticism. First, from human rights organisation Amnesty International, which described it as a ‘sportswashing prize’ for Rwandan authorities.

Then there’s the human rights backlash over war in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). As such, DRC Foreign minister, Therese Kayikwamba Wagner, has been even more direct in her condemnation of the 10-year Rwanda F1 deal …

10-YEAR RWANDA F1 DEAL

She recently told The Athletic: “Giving Paul Kagame this platform would help to polish the reputation of an authoritarian leader whose government has contributed to fuelling a devastating war in our country.”

She also added that successive wars “have claimed the lives of millions of our people.” And she alleges that minerals extracted from the DRC are smuggled back into Rwanda to help sustain the conflict. Human Rights Watch has also raised concerns about repression, media freedom and Rwanda’s alleged role in the conflict in eastern DRC.

SOUTH AFRICA SENT TROOPS TO DRC

Moreover, South Africa actually deployed about 3 000 soldiers to the conflict zone back in December 2023. This formed part of a Southern African Development Community (SADC) peace mission. However, the operation faced intense fighting when M23 rebels advanced on Goma in January 2025. 14 South African soldiers were killed, with more wounded.

The deployment ended after SADC terminated the mission in March 2025, amid the rebels’ territorial gains. At the time, many believed the war would hurt any potential Rwanda F1 deal. However, that clearly wasn’t the case. In fact, many of F1’s biggest names are defending Formula 1’s decision to bring Rwanda onto the calendar.

RWANDA F1 HAS ‘LEGITIMATE PLACE’ ON CALENDAR

One such voice is Dr. Helmut Marko, who told RTL that Rwanda F1 has earned a legitimate place on the calendar. “Formula 1 was in South Africa for a long time, and Kyalami, near Johannesburg, was a very popular race. But Rwanda is an emerging country, and it’s simply a fact that different political laws apply there. And as long as sportswashing doesn’t get out of hand, it is a World Championship, after all. That means, of course, that all regions of the world should be included,” concluded Marko. – with GMM

But what do you think? Do you think it’s good that Rwanda F1 will be a genuinely African race? Or are you sad South Africa is missing out? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below …