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The Tour du Rwanda has been running since 1988. It began as a local event and gained UCI recognition in 2009.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“Everything is the Tour du Rwanda we’ve known before,” said Grmay.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
In a statement in January, the UCI said that “Rwanda remains entirely safe for tourism and business”.<\/p>\n
Many Rwandans watching the Tour felt the same.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
“The conflicts out there, they’re not going to affect the country.”<\/p>\n
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.”<\/p>\n