Rwanda and South Africa have taken a major step toward restoring full diplomatic relations after more than a decade of strained ties, agreeing to revive bilateral cooperation, resume visa issuance for ordinary Rwandan passport holders, and deepen collaboration across a wide range of sectors.
The breakthrough follows a successful working visit to South Africa by Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Olivier Nduhungirehe, at the invitation of South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald O. Lamola.
The visit culminated in the signing of a joint document endorsed by Presidents Paul Kagame and Cyril Ramaphosa, reaffirming both governments’ commitment to normalizing relations and building a renewed partnership based on mutual trust, shared prosperity and African solidarity.
Relations between Kigali and Pretoria deteriorated in 2014 following a series of political and security disputes. South Africa accused Rwanda of involvement in attacks against Rwandan dissidents living on its territory, allegations Kigali consistently denied. Rwanda, in turn, accused South Africa of providing safe haven to individuals linked to the perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and other groups hostile to Rwanda. The dispute led to the expulsion of diplomats, a prolonged freeze in high-level political engagement, and the suspension of visa issuance for holders of ordinary Rwandan passports.
For more than a decade, the visa restrictions significantly affected business travel, tourism, academic exchanges and family visits between the two countries, becoming one of the most visible symbols of the diplomatic fallout.
According to a press release issued by the High Commission of Rwanda in South Africa, the two ministers reviewed progress made through recent diplomatic engagements and agreed that the time had come to move beyond past tensions by strengthening cooperation for the benefit of both countries and the African continent.
One of the most significant outcomes of the visit was the decision to resume the issuance of visas to holders of ordinary Rwandan passports within the next twelve months. Officials said technical and diplomatic consultations will continue in the coming months to facilitate implementation of the agreement.
The ministers also agreed to revive the Joint Commission of Cooperation (JCC), the principal bilateral mechanism for coordinating cooperation between the two countries. Rwanda will host the next session during the first quarter of 2027.
The JCC will oversee cooperation across political, economic, social, cultural, educational and scientific sectors while helping coordinate initiatives in trade, investment, tourism, health, infrastructure, justice and private sector development.
The two governments also committed to encouraging regular high-level visits, expanding business partnerships, promoting participation in major African trade and tourism events, and strengthening people-to-people exchanges through education and cultural cooperation.
Presidents Kagame and Ramaphosa are also expected to meet at a later date through normal diplomatic channels, further reinforcing the political momentum behind the rapprochement.
Regional peace and security featured prominently in the discussions. The ministers exchanged views on developments in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mozambique, Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia and the Sahel, reaffirming their support for African-led solutions to African challenges through dialogue, mediation and strengthened continental institutions.
The Government of Rwanda welcomed the outcomes of the working visit, saying it looks forward to working closely with South Africa to advance a renewed partnership that promotes peace, prosperity and regional integration.
The agreements reached in Pretoria mark the most significant improvement in Rwanda-South Africa relations in more than a decade and signal a shared determination to replace years of diplomatic estrangement with closer political dialogue, stronger economic cooperation and renewed regional partnership.
