The Democratic Republic of Congo sent a letter to Formula 1 racing leaders asking them not to work with Rwanda. Congo believes Rwanda has done bad things in Congo's eastern area and started fights there. Mrs. Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, who helps run Congo, wrote the letter. She thinks Formula 1 should stay away from Rwanda because of these problems.
Rwanda wants to bring big car races to its city of Kigali. The president of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, told racing leaders last year he wanted these races in his country. Many people, including Lewis Hamilton, who has won many racing championships, want Formula 1 to have races in Africa.
Congo says Rwanda has done very bad things. They say Rwanda sent 4,000 soldiers into Congo without permission. Congo believes these soldiers hurt many people, including special peace workers. Mrs. Wagner says everyone knows Rwanda started these problems.
Congo worries about where Rwanda will find money for these big races. They think Rwanda takes gold and other valuable things from Congo's mines without asking. The United Nations looked into this and found Rwanda was taking these things. Congo says Rwanda makes a lot of money from stealing these valuable materials.
Formula 1 leaders told everyone they were watching what was happening between Congo and Rwanda very carefully. They want to make sure they choose good places for their races. Congo thinks South Africa would make a better place for these races. South Africa had Formula 1 races before, back in 1993.
Mrs. Wagner invited Formula 1's leader, Mr. Stefano Domenicali, to visit Congo and see what happens there. She wants to show him why working with Rwanda might cause problems and hopes this will help Formula 1 make a good choice about where to have its races in Africa.
Rwanda wants to bring big car races to its city of Kigali. The president of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, told racing leaders last year he wanted these races in his country. Many people, including Lewis Hamilton, who has won many racing championships, want Formula 1 to have races in Africa.
Congo says Rwanda has done very bad things. They say Rwanda sent 4,000 soldiers into Congo without permission. Congo believes these soldiers hurt many people, including special peace workers. Mrs. Wagner says everyone knows Rwanda started these problems.
Congo worries about where Rwanda will find money for these big races. They think Rwanda takes gold and other valuable things from Congo's mines without asking. The United Nations looked into this and found Rwanda was taking these things. Congo says Rwanda makes a lot of money from stealing these valuable materials.
Formula 1 leaders told everyone they were watching what was happening between Congo and Rwanda very carefully. They want to make sure they choose good places for their races. Congo thinks South Africa would make a better place for these races. South Africa had Formula 1 races before, back in 1993.
Mrs. Wagner invited Formula 1's leader, Mr. Stefano Domenicali, to visit Congo and see what happens there. She wants to show him why working with Rwanda might cause problems and hopes this will help Formula 1 make a good choice about where to have its races in Africa.
