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Lewis Hamilton addresses concerns on human rights grounds about holding an African Grand Prix in Rwanda - BBC

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Photo credit : Lewis Hamilton sits in the news conference in Austin

And the DRC's Minister for Foreign Affairs Therese Kayikwamba Wagner said in a statement last week that "giving (Rwanda President) Paul Kagame this platform would help polish the image of an authoritarian leader whose government has helped fuel a devastating war in our country". She pointed out that the US had sanctioned the Rwandan army and four senior officers for their role in destabilising the region, conducting military operations inside the DRC and supporting, training and fighting alongside the M23 rebel group. She added that F1 "should require credible, independent guarantees that no money used to host the race comes from conflict-linked minerals or the exploitation of Congolese resources". Seven-time world champion Hamilton said: "Africa is a place that deserves to have a grand prix. It's about more than just one country. It's about the continent itself, and there are so many beautiful countries within it. "The people are so lovely. The culture is so rich, and I think it's important that we get to show that to the world. We get to do that with our sport.

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