Cyclists 'felt safe' in Rwanda despite security concerns

The route of this year's Tour du Rwanda went close to cities across the border in DR Congo that have been captured by M23 rebels

Cyclists who took part in the Tour du Rwanda have told the BBC that they "felt safe" despite concerns over security at this year's race.

The route for the eight-day event passed close to the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo on two occasions, bringing competitors within 20 kilometres of the cities of Goma and Bukavu, both of which have been captured by the M23 rebel group in the last five weeks.

This led Belgian team Soudal Quick-Step to withdraw before the Tour began.

But South Africa national team rider Ryco Schutte told BBC Tigrinya he "wasn't feeling unsafe at any moment."

Lotto Development Team's Belgian cyclist Kamiel Eeman added: "I really like Rwanda. I felt safe. I haven't noticed anything."

'No plan B'

M23 rebels have made major advances in the east of DR Congo since January

Rwanda has been accused by the Democratic Republic of Congo and the United Nations of backing the M23 - an alleged alliance that has been consistently denied by both the Rwandan government and by the M23 leadership.

At least 8,500 people have been killed since fighting escalated in January, according to the Congolese authorities. Hundreds of thousands have also been forced from their homes amid the chaos triggered by the fighting.

It has led to calls for cycling's Road World Championships, due to be held in Rwanda in September, to be moved. Last week, a majority of members of the European Parliament voted to cancel the competition "if Rwanda does not change course," although it has no power over the event.

However, speaking in Kigali ahead of the Tour, David Lappartient, the head of the sport's governing body, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), told Cyclingnews that "there is no plan B".

Rwanda is set to become the first African country to host the championships in its century-long history. It was selected in September 2021 during the UCI's 190th Congress, where Lappartient was re-elected unopposed as president for a second term.

"I am delighted that we are heading to Kigali," Lappartient added.

'Entirely safe for tourism and business'

The Tour du Rwanda has been an official UCI event since 2009

The Tour du Rwanda has been running since 1988. It began as a local event and gained UCI recognition in 2009.

This year's race had seven stages. Stage three ended in Rubavu, just across the border from Goma, and stage five started in Rusizi, which is next to Bukavu.

Team Amani coach Tsgabu Grmay, who first raced in the Tour du Rwanda in 2010, believes the conflict did not have an impact on this year's edition.

"Everything is the Tour du Rwanda we've known before," said Grmay.

"Honestly, for me, it was all safe. I didn't feel anything like I was close to conflict really. I didn't see it. I didn't feel it."

In a statement in January, the UCI said that "Rwanda remains entirely safe for tourism and business".

Many Rwandans watching the Tour felt the same.

"I can assure everyone who is coming to Rwanda that it's safe," said Kampire Ovrine, a Rwandan brand ambassador on stage five in Huye.

"The conflicts out there, they're not going to affect the country."

Hakizimana, a Kigali resident, told BBC Tigrinya: "For us, this is just international news. We still have a right to secure our borders and, as you can see, everything is running as usual."

According to the Tour's official road book, security for this year's race convoy was assured by the Rwanda national police, with 38 officers and a deployment of 15 police motorbikes and four other vehicles.

Mussa Kaberuka, a safety road manager for the Tour, said: "In general, security is good. 100 per cent.

"Rubavu and Rusizi, there are no problems."

Sportswashing allegations

Rwanda's government has been accused of investing in sport to enhance its global image and mask what one organisation has described as "an abysmal track record" on human rights - a strategy described as 'sportswashing'.

"Rwanda has major flaws with due process which violate its own internal laws or international standards," Lewis Mudge, the Central Africa director at Human Rights Watch, previously told BBC Sport Africa when discussing Rwanda's bid to host a Formula One grand prix.

"Increasingly we're seeing the space for freedom of expression, for some degree of political autonomy, is actually shrinking."

The Rwandan government dismissed such accusations, with chief tourism officer Irene Murerwa calling them "a distraction" from the "amazing and outstanding achievements the country has made".

Final stage cancelled

French cyclist Fabien Doubey won this year's Tour du Rwanda after Sunday's final stage in Kigali was cancelled due to bad weather.

When the race was halted, the leading peloton was just 12.5km from the finish. The seventh and final stage was meant to follow the same route planned for the UCI Road World Championships.

Doubey was declared the winner based on results from the first six stages.

Eritrean cyclist Henok Mulubrhan finished six seconds behind him in the general classification.

All of the races in September's World Championships will be held in Kigali, which is more than 160km away from Goma and over 250km from Bukavu.

Fitsum Woldeab, a member of the Ethiopian Cycling Federation, thinks the location should allay any fears.

"We have been hearing there are conflicts around these cities," Woldeab told BBC Tigrinya.

"But we have seen nothing at all. Everything has been safe, everything has been under control.

"In the World Championships, Rwanda, I think, is ready for hosting that because it's held in only one city."