Kigali: The Government of Rwanda is accusing the South Africa Department of International Relations to delay or derail the course of normalization initiated by the Presidents Paul Kagame and Cyril Ramaphosa at their March 2018 meeting on the sidelines of the Extraordinary Summit of the African Union in Kigali.
According to a press release, the Rwandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has communicated, through diplomatic channels, serious concerns about consistent attempts by the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation to delay or derail the course of normalisation.
These include unfounded allegations made against Rwanda in public statements and the media, based on rumours and distortions propagated by Rwandan detractors based in Canada and South Africa, and media platforms associated with them. It is a cause for concern that the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation chooses to believe these groups over the assurances provided by the Government of Rwanda.
The Rwandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation also objects to the repeated summons of the Rwandan High Commissioner in Pretoria for reasons unknown to the Government of Rwanda, including articles by obscure tabloids.
Relations between the governments and people of the two countries supersede individual likes and dislikes. Bilateral relations between states cannot be contingent to suggested negotiations with subversive and criminal movements led by individuals who have either been convicted of, or are wanted for, criminal activities.
The Government of Rwanda, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, reiterates its willingness to continue working with the Government of South Africa on the rapid normalisation of relations through normal diplomatic channels, as agreed by the Heads of State of our respective countries. (End)