Nyamwasa, Karegeya “complicating” Rwanda-S.A relations

By RNA Reporter
05 August 2010

Kigali: The South Africa foreign affairs ministry says the presence of Gen Kayumba Nyamwasa and Col Patrick Karegeya in South Africa is causing ‘temperatures’ in relations with Rwanda to heat up, RNA reports.

In the latest sign of worsening ties between the two countries, South African High Commissioner to Rwanda Gladstone Dumisani Gwadiso was summoned back to Pretoria amid growing concerns about the situation in the country, a top diplomat said.

The presence of Gen Kayumba and Col Karegeya – both alleged fugitives, in South Africa is complicating the bilateral relations between the two sides, according to Ayanda Ntsaluba, the Director General at the department of International Relations and Cooperation.

Ntsaluba told French radio RFI that South Africa is avoiding practicing public diplomacy with Rwanda, and admitted the “temperature has been raised” by the Rwandan dissidents seeking refuge in South Africa.

The South African Foreign Ministry, specifically Ntsaluba himself, has been and remains at pains to avoid pointing the finger at the Kigali over the attempted assassination on Gen Kayumba on June 19.

Five men have been charged over the murder, but South African prosecutors have not revealed their nationalities, saying only that they were investigating if the men were in the country legally.

"We are not making any connection by recalling our ambassador between the government of Rwanda and the specific incident involving general Nyamwasa,” said Ntsaluba.

He said the investigation into Nyamwasa’s shooting is ongoing.