Ramaphosa: South Africa and Rwanda ‘Rekindling’ Relations
Image source: President Cyril Ramaphosa, left, and President of Rwanda in Kigali, Rwanda, April 7 2024. (via: Luke Dray/Getty Images)
Published by: Omphile Pule
President Ramaphosa highlights a renewed effort to strengthen ties between South Africa and Rwanda.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has disclosed that strained diplomatic ties between South Africa and Rwanda. They are showing signs of improvement following a three-hour bilateral meeting between the two presidents on Saturday.
Ramaphosa briefed the media on Sunday regarding his one-on-one discussions with Rwandan President Paul Kagame in Kigali on the eve of Kigali’s national ceremony to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the genocide against Rwanda’s Tutsi people.
Before the meeting, diplomatic relations between Pretoria and Kigali were described as chilly.
The strained relations stemmed from South Africa’s decision to deploy its troops to the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo as part of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) peace-building commission.
President Kagame’s government perceives South Africa’s bolstering of the SADC mission as favouring the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a stance viewed as a snub by Rwanda. Additionally, Rwanda is associated with supporting the M23 rebels in conflict with the DRC army.
Another point of contention is South Africa’s visa policy, which requires Rwandans to apply in advance for a visa, while South Africans receive a free 30-day visa upon arrival in Kigali.
President Ramaphosa acknowledged these issues during a discussion with Kagame, emphasizing a commitment to rebuilding and improving relations between the two nations.
Ramaphosa also addressed the deployment of the SA National Defence Force in the eastern DRC, stressing the importance of a peaceful, political solution to conflicts in the region.
During the Kigali event, Kagame praised South Africa for its support in rebuilding Rwanda’s public health system post-genocide. He highlighted South Africa’s assistance in providing Cuban doctors and offering educational opportunities to Rwandan students at local fees.
Kagame also expressed gratitude to other African nations for their contributions to Rwanda’s reconstruction since the genocide, including Uganda, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Burundi, the DRC, and Kenya.
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