South Africa sends new envoy to Rwanda after row

KIGALI, Rwanda

South Africa appointed a new envoy to Rwanda, the Foreign Ministry announced Thursday, two years after recalling its ambassador because of a political row.

The Rwandan Foreign Ministry said new South African High Commissioner-designate Mandisi Bongani Mabuto Mpahlwa presented his credentials to Foreign Minister Vincent Biruta at a ceremony in Kigali.

It was an occasion to discuss ways to further strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries, it said.

In 2014, South Africa and Rwanda issued diplomatic expulsions, amid a row concerning the attempted assassination of Johannesburg-based former Rwandan army chief Faustin Kayumba Nyamwasa, who Kigali authorities accused of using South Africa as base for subversive activities against the government.

Rwanda expelled six South African diplomats after Pretoria gave two Rwandan officials 48 hours to leave the country.

Rwandans have since had difficulties acquiring visas to visit South Africa.

Mpahlwa replaces George Twala who was recalled in December 2018 as the diplomatic row escalated.