High risk of cancellation for 2025 Rwanda World Championships - European Parliament threatens; Lappartient defends
CyclingMonday, 24 February 2025 at 17:30
7 months away from the Rwanda World Championships, the first time road cycling will have this large event hosted in the African continent, but the entire Worlds are at risk following Rwanda's backing of an invasion into neighboring Congo. The stakes are higher than ever, and as reported by Relevo, the European Parliament itself is calling to put the event to an end.
This is an extremely delicate situation, with strings being pulled from several sides. For a few years now, the situation between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo has seen several instances of armed conflict and in 2022 the M23 group began offensive actions into the Kivu district of Rwanda, neighbouring Rwanda. Despite being many times smaller, Rwandan forces have entered Congolese territory, aiding the capture of territory including the city of Goma - with around 800.000 inhabitants. 2900 civilian caualties are reported, and 20 UN peacekeepers met the same faith.
Besides the large costs and vaccination requirements, this conflict has further led to criticism of the World Championships being hosted in Rwanda, a country actively participating in the invasion of it's neighbour. It had been rumoured that a 'Plan B' route had even been designed in Switzerland, in case the situation deteriorates, although this can not be confirmed at the time being.
Recently, the European Parliament approved a course of action regarding Rwanda's actions and on the 13th of February they have discussed 30 points regarding possible action against the African nation. Point 29 says the following: "Calls for the cancellation of the 2025 World Road Cycling Championships, organised by the International Cycling Union, in Kigali if Rwanda does not change course". The Spanish news outlet reported today that the overwhelming majority of votes in the European Parliament supported this course of action.
But the story deepens with UCI president David Lappartient, who was in Rwanda this weekend for the start of the Tour du Rwanda, the country's top race - where Soudal - Quick-Step decided not to participate taking into consideration the race's proximity to the area of conflict, only with a few dozen kilometers separating the race convoy from the frontline. Some argue that Lappartient will be running for head of the Olympic committee and is working his influence to capture votes for the upcoming elections, and that his presence in Rwanda is further evidence.
In talks with Cyclingnews, Lappartient argued that the UCI is not looking to call of the World Championships. "There is no plan B," he said, whilst also discussing possible measures to be taken in order to provide riders and national teams with smaller costs to be able to make the trip in September.
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Did some more research on this EU dilemma, EVERY country voted to take action against Rwanda but like the US so often exercises its power against all others, little ole SchleckKirschJungels country vetoed the whole thing because their financial interests (rather well kept secret until now) in Rwanda and especially raw materials like rare earth metals are rather high. Can’t see them holding out long knowing the range of other financial tools the EU could threaten this little fiscal pimp with. Some of their economists might have to work overtime this week and the Rwandan marketing authorities would do well to go take some sports washing lessons on the arabian peninsula coz if they lose this it’s gonna be awfully hard to convince any other sports federation to try in future.
Meanwhile, as tvhe West continues to be directly implicated in death all over the world to hold onto power and ressources, we point fingers at China who with their far more authoritarian regime don’t nearly seem to cause as much death and hardship abroad, is it any wonder the third world prefers to do business with them?
Human life and dignity should clearly outweigh rare mineral contracts.
Totally agree, unfortunately greed, empires and post-colonialism all lead to weighing human life on a very slippery moving scale. It starts with those in power no longer having to lead or send their own kin into battle to achieve goals so they can no longer equate the real cost of danger and loss/benefits.
People will mentally moan this is off-topic but not realise it is just a mirror of what they moan about regarding rider safety. If UCI leadership was partially composed of active riders, don’t you think the issue of safety and organiser responsibility would be taken more seriously? Is this not maybe the way to bring around soft change progressively?
EU hoping the package puts enough pressure on Kagame to suspend hostilities without having to rethink vital mineral contracts. Somewhere between a rock and a hard place.