What are the historical reasons behind the tension between Rwanda and South Africa
Introduction
The historical tensions between Rwanda and South Africa stem from several key events and issues
Diplomatic Fallout Over Assassinations
The relationship between Rwanda and South Africa deteriorated significantly in the 2010s due to a series of assassinations and attempted assassinations of Rwandan dissidents on South African soil:
In 2013, Patrick Karegeya, Rwanda’s former chief of intelligence, was assassinated while living in exile in South Africa.
In 2014, former Rwandan general Kayumba Nyamwasa survived an assassination attempt near Johannesburg.
These incidents led to diplomatic retaliation
South Africa expelled three Rwandan diplomats in March 2014, accusing Rwanda of involvement in the attacks.
Rwanda responded by expelling six South African diplomats.
Accusations of Harboring Dissidents
Rwanda has accused South Africa of hosting individuals it considers “terrorists” who seek to overthrow President Paul Kagame’s government.
South Africa, on the other hand, has provided refuge to Rwandan dissidents and political opponents of Kagame’s regime.
Differing Stances on Regional Conflicts
The current tension is exacerbated by divergent approaches to the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC):
South Africa has deployed troops as part of the Southern African Development Community Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC) to combat rebel groups, including the M23.
Rwanda is accused of supporting the M23 rebels, which it denies.
Historical Context
The roots of these tensions can be traced back to the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide:
South Africa established full diplomatic relations with Rwanda in May 1995, shortly after the genocide.
However, the complex regional dynamics and Rwanda’s involvement in conflicts in neighboring countries have strained this relationship over time.
Conclusion
The assassination of Rwandan dissidents in South Africa, accusations of harboring political opponents, and conflicting interests in regional conflicts, particularly in the DRC, have contributed to the ongoing tensions between Rwanda and South Africa.
