Rwanda–South Africa relations
Map indicating locations of Rwanda and South Africa

Rwanda
South Africa
Envoy
Ambassador M B M MpahlwaAmbassador E S Kayihura

Rwanda–South Africa relations are the bilateral relations between Rwanda and South Africa. Both countries are members of the African Union and the Commonwealth of Nations.

History

Full diplomatic relations between the two countries was established in May 1995.[1][2]

Rwanda and South Africa relations have faced periods of strain since 2013 when the former chief of intelligence for Rwanda, Patrick Karegeya, was assassinated whilst living in exile in South Africa.[3] Relations were further strained in 2014 when the former Rwandan general Kayumba Nyamwasa was assassinated at a location near Johannesburg, South Africa.[4] In South Africa both assassinations are believed to have been orchestrated by the Rwandan government.[3][4] Prior to the assassinations Rwandan president Paul Kagame had accused South Africa of hosting "terrorists" that sought to oust him from power.[5]

Since 2018 the two countries have sought to normalise relations.[4][5] In a July 2021 report by Amnesty International it was alleged that the Rwandan government had engaged in espionage activity against South Africa president Cyril Ramaphosa by illegally installing Pegasus spyware on his mobile phone.[6] In the same month Rwanda proposed coordinating operations with South Africa in efforts to combat the Islamist insurgency in Cabo Delgado.[7]

Resident diplomatic missions

High Commission of Rwanda in Pretoria
  • Rwanda has a high commission in Pretoria.
  • South Africa has a high commission in Kigali.

References

  1. ↑ "Republic of Rwanda". www.dirco.gov.za. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  2. ↑ "Republic of Rwanda". 2022-03-20. Archived from the original on 2022-03-20. Retrieved 2023-04-16.
  3. 1 2 ISSAfrica.org (2021-07-09). "What price for normalising SA–Rwanda relations?". ISS Africa. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  4. 1 2 3 Fabricius, Peter (2021-07-10). "ISS TODAY: ANALYSIS: SA-Rwanda relations remain strained, opaque amid alleged political assassinations". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  5. 1 2 FABRICIUS, PETER (25 January 2019). "Are Rwanda and South Africa irreconcilable?". Africa Portal. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  6. ↑ "Ramaphosa's phone may have been tapped by Rwandan spies". BusinessLIVE. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
  7. ↑ Plessis, Carien du. "Rwanda proposes co-operation with South Africa on Mozambique". News24. Retrieved 2021-07-22.

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