The peloton will set off tomorrow under high tension, but security risks could derail the race in the first few days. Between terrorist threats and border tensions, the event is teetering on a thread ready to snap. Will the authorities take the risk of going ahead with the event?
An uncertain departure under threat
Tomorrow, Kigali was supposed to vibrate to the rhythm of cycling. But on the eve of the start of the 2025 Tour du Rwanda, the atmosphere is far from festive. Africa's flagship cycling event is now hanging by a thread, threatened by explosive regional tensions and worryingly serious security risks.
For weeks, the border between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo has been the scene of violent clashes between Congolese forces and the M23 rebels, whom Kinshasa accuses Kigali of supporting. This chronic instability is nothing new, but the intensification of fighting poses an unprecedented risk to the holding of the Tour. The route, which stretches along roads sometimes close to conflict zones, has become a major source of concern.
Rwandan authorities assure that all measures have been taken to ensure the safety of riders and spectators. But these official statements fail to reassure foreign delegations and cycling teams, especially since diplomatic alerts have been issued.
The United States is sounding the alarm
Pressure mounted when the U.S. State Department issued a formal alert, advising its citizens against traveling to areas near the Congolese border and urging caution throughout the country during the event. On social media, the U.S. embassy did not mince its words: "The risk of violent incidents and attacks targeting public events is high."
Rwanda: The US Embassy in Kigali advises US citizens that the increase in conflict inside the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) may impact security in the areas along the DRC and Burundi borders with Rwanda.
— Travel - State Dept (@TravelGov) February 20, 2025
US Embassy personnel are prohibited from traveling to… pic.twitter.com/YcWXOnM93L
This message has caused panic among several foreign teams. Some teams are considering limiting their riders' participation to stages farthest from sensitive areas, while others are not ruling out a complete withdrawal if the situation worsens.
This American stance also fueled speculation about a possible cancellation of the event, or even the Tour being halted mid-way through if safety were to be compromised. A prospect that worries organizers, but which can no longer be ruled out.
An explosive climate, an event on hold
The Tour of Rwanda has always been more than just a cycling race. A symbol of peace and resilience in a country marked by its history, it has become a lever of soft power for Kigali. But this 2025 edition risks darkening this picture.
Local intelligence services have reportedly identified several "potential threats," without specifying their nature. In such a context, every step becomes a security puzzle. Between the proximity of conflict zones and the ever-present terrorist risks in the Great Lakes region, law enforcement is on a war footing.
The organizers want to be reassuring, but the realities on the ground are relentless: sometimes isolated roads, areas that are difficult to control, and thousands of spectators expected along the edges of the route. "Zero risk doesn't exist," admits a member of the organizing committee, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The local population, for its part, is oscillating between excitement and concern. "It's a source of pride to host this event, but not at the cost of people's safety," confides Aimé, a trader in Kigali.
How far will caution go?
The next 48 hours will be decisive. If the situation deteriorates, an outright cancellation could be called, even if it means sacrificing Rwanda's international image to avoid a tragedy. But even if the race starts tomorrow, there's no guarantee it will cross the finish line.
International teams are on edge, sponsors are holding their breath, and authorities are walking on hot coals. The 2025 Tour du Rwanda is likely to go down in history... for all the wrong reasons.
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