Patrick Lefevere has spoken out about the World Cycling Championships in Rwanda. Many people disagree with holding a World Championship there, but Lefevere strongly disagrees. "I am entitled to my opinion: rebuilding a completely divided and devastated country into what it is today can only be achieved with an authoritarian leader," he writes in his column in Het Nieuwsblad.
“I know I will step on some long sore toes with this, but I am one hundred percent pro the World Cycling Championships in Rwanda," Lefevere opens his weekly column. "Last week I even considered traveling there, but my total aversion to intercontinental flying stopped me. Right now, I am at the Tour of Slovakia, where our Paul Magnier has impressively won the first three stages."
“The World Championships in Rwanda are said to be controversial, and I am not blind to what is happening in Eastern Congo. I read three newspapers a day, so I know the EU has imposed sanctions on the Rwandan army for supporting the M23 rebels. But I also know the EU pays that same army millions to, among other things, protect the interests of European companies in Mozambique – TotalEnergies to name just one. The EU has also concluded a major raw materials deal with Rwanda. All this passes by, but if in that same country cycling takes place, suddenly it’s a huge scandal.”
“There is a lot to say about Paul Kagame (the president, ed.), but anyone who has been to Kigali can only be impressed by how the city functions," Lefevere continues. "I am seventy years old and have worked and contributed to society throughout my entire life. I am entitled to my opinion: rebuilding a completely divided and devastated country into what it is now can only be done with an authoritarian leader. With our one hundred and eleven Belgian ministers of who-knows-what-all, it certainly would not have succeeded.
