It’s a Shame for MP Mathilde Panot to interfere in sports and leisure activities
In a recent x (former tweet), Madam Mathilde Panot, Member of Parliament for the 94th district and President of the LFI-NFP group at the National Assembly of France, chose to bring political controversy into the Tour du Rwanda.
She linked the event to the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), claiming that the race could not “hide the abuses of the Paul Kagame regime” and accusing Rwanda of supporting the M23 militia. Panot called for actions such as an embargo on minerals and the suspension of economic agreements, all while spotlighting the suffering of millions of civilians in the conflict.
While the situation in the DRC is undeniably serious and deserves international attention, it is troubling that a French politician like Panot would use a sporting event—a space intended to foster unity and peace—as a platform for political commentary. The Tour du Rwanda, like many international sports events, is meant to bring people together, transcending national, political, and cultural divides. It is a celebration of human achievement, athleticism, and global cooperation—not a battleground for political agendas.
It is, frankly, a shame for someone in Panot’s position to violate this principle. Politicians are entrusted with the responsibility to govern, advocate for change through the proper channels, and engage in diplomatic dialogue when addressing international conflicts. The world of sports, however, should remain separate from politics. When an event like the Tour du Rwanda is used as a political platform, it risks undermining the very essence of sports: a neutral space where people from all walks of life can unite over their shared passion for competition and human achievement.
What makes this even more concerning is that sports have long been recognized as an essential tool for cultural diplomacy. The Olympic Games, the FIFA World Cup, and other global events have demonstrated how sports can bridge divides and foster international understanding. When politicians use such events to push their own agendas, they dilute that power and compromise the neutrality that makes sports so impactful.
In response to Panot’s comments, François Nkulikiyimfura, Rwanda’s Minister of Sports wrote and reposted by Ange Kagame, the first daughter of Rwanda, that sports should remain a space for peace and unity, not a platform for misinformation. He is absolutely right. The integrity of sports must be protected from political manipulation, especially in such a sensitive global context.
Rwanda has consistently denied the allegations made by the international community that its soldiers are present in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to support the M23 militia. The Rwandan government has rejected these claims, asserting that the accusations are unfounded and politically motivated. According to Rwanda, these allegations are part of a broader effort to discredit the country on the international stage.
However, the tensions surrounding this issue continue to mount, as both the DRC and Rwanda remain locked in a diplomatic standoff. The international community is divided, with some countries demanding stronger action to curb Rwanda’s alleged support for the M23, while others question the reliability of the accusations against Rwanda.
For a politician like Mathilde Panot to interfere in this way is not only a shame. It undermines the integrity of sports and distorts their role in international diplomacy. The world of sports deserves better, and so do the athletes and fans who look to these events as a beacon of unity, peace, and international camaraderie.
ND
