Rwanda, South Africa quietly try to mend fences
The East African - 36 minutes ago
By A SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT, The EastAfrican
Posted Saturday, June 28 2014 at 15:18
South African President Jacob Zuma (left) and President Paul Kagame of
Rwanda. FILE
IN SUMMARY
Sources privy to the matter say that several regional leaders and
bodies have been trying to mediate after both countries remained
defiant and defensive. Kigali maintains that Pretoria should stop
giving protection to its perceived enemies, mainly Gen Kayumba
Nyamwasa and other members of the Rwanda National Congress (RNC), whom
it accuses of plotting to overthrow a legitimate government using
violence. The South African government has reportedly asked Mr
Nyamwasa and others to cut down on their political activism on South
African soil.
Rwanda and South Africa are working behind the scenes to bury the
hatchet months after a fierce row that saw both countries expel
diplomats over accusations that Rwanda had breached the sovereignty of
South Africa.
Presidents Paul Kagame of Rwanda and Jacob Zuma of South Africa were
expected to meet in the Equatorial Guinea capital Malabo on the
sidelines of the 23rd Ordinary Session of the African Union to discuss
how the two countries could mend fences.
Last week, Rwanda's Foreign Affairs Minister Louise Mushikiwabo said
there are efforts to address the issues between the two countries.
"These difficulties were to be expected because there were a number of
diplomats that were at the South African High Commission here in
Kigali and they are no longer there, as is the case for our own High
Commission in Pretoria.
"Only High Commissioners remained. So difficulties were to be expected
and, yes, there are efforts to try to end these tensions and reappoint
the diplomats and so on and so forth, so basically that's on the way,"
Ms Mushikiwabo said.
The South African High Commissioner to Rwanda George Nkosinati Twala
too confirmed the developments but declined to give details.
"There have been discussions between the two countries. I am not sure
if there will be a meeting on the issue in Malabo where the two heads
of state are at the AU meeting but if they happen to meet, there is a
possibility that this issue could be resolved there. The most
important thing is that the two countries are finding a way to sort
out this problem, like Mushikiwabo said," Mr Twala said.
Sources privy to the matter say that several regional leaders and
bodies have been trying to mediate after both countries remained
defiant and defensive.
Kigali maintains that Pretoria should stop giving protection to its
perceived enemies, mainly Gen Kayumba Nyamwasa and other members of
the Rwanda National Congress (RNC), whom it accuses of plotting to
overthrow a legitimate government using violence.
"South Africa is considering relocating Gen Nyamwasa and a few more
people deemed 'enemies of the state' by Kigali to a third party
country if diplomatic ties are to be fully restored," a source privy
to the matter said.
READ: South Africa, Rwanda engage in diplomatic row over so-called dissidents
Information from intelligence sources indicate that one European
country and another in the Caribbean had showed willingness to offer
Gen Nyamwasa asylum. Unconfirmed reports indicate that the former army
chief of staff is planning to secretly relocate with his family.
Following the diplomatic tiff, Ms Mushikiwabo said that the
disagreements were centred on South Africa's continued protection of
"wanted fugitives" who had declared a war on a legitimate government
from its territory.
She said it is something Rwanda cannot agree on with South Africa,
because the said individuals continue to make similar pronouncements
that threaten a standing government.
The South African government has reportedly asked Mr Nyamwasa and
others to cut down on their political activism on South African soil.
But in a new development that is likely to anger Kigali, on Sunday,
June 22, RNC youth in South Africa convened an extraordinary congress
in Cape Town during which they issued an ultimatum to the Rwandan
government and President Kagame to "consider the call from the RNC
leadership while they still have a chance to do so".
During the meeting, the RNC youth, clad in guerrilla-style caps,
announced the formation of the RNC Youth League -- South Africa, named
"Intagwanza" and said its mission would extend beyond the South
African borders and beyond the RNC platform, with a particular focus
on Rwanda, "to ensure that the country is rid of tyranny and
dictatorship in the near future."
Diplomatic relations between the two countries worsened at the
beginning of March this year when South Africa expelled three Rwandan
diplomats after unknown assailants, thought to be Rwandan, attacked
the residence of Gen Nyamwasa.
READ: Rwanda row with South Africa over envoys deepens
Rwanda reiterated by expelling six of South Africa's diplomats in
Kigali, leaving both countries' missions without staff, save for the
High Commissioners.
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