Rwanda signs 10-year Formula 1 deal for African Grand Prix

According to BBC Sport, the event, to be called the African Grand Prix, is planned for a new circuit in Bugesera, 25 miles south of Kigali, beside a new international airport. It would be F1’s first race in Africa since the 1993 South African Grand Prix at Kyalami. [1]

The report gives no exact race date and says the event’s place on the annual calendar has not been established. It also says F1 has committed to keeping its season to no more than 24 races. [1]

President Paul Kagame said he expected the circuit to bring jobs, skills, tourism and business to Rwanda and the wider region. Felix Jakens, head of campaigns at Amnesty International UK, accused Rwanda of using major sports to improve its image and divert attention from what he called its “appalling human rights record”. A spokesperson for F1, quoted by BBC Sport, said sport could be a positive force in Africa and cited an opportunity to reach 100 million people across the continent. [1]

BBC Sport also reports that the Democratic Republic of Congo has filed a case against Rwanda at the International Court of Justice, alleging breaches of treaties covering genocide prevention, racial discrimination, women’s rights and torture. The report describes the alleged breaches as accusations, not as court findings. [1]