After a working visit that Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. Vincent Biruta paid to South Africa early last month, a delegation from the country’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) is currently in Rwanda, as the two states continue on the path of normalising ties. DIRCO is the equivalent of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in South Africa. During his visit, Biruta met with his South African counterpart Naledi Pandor to assess the current state of bilateral relations between both countries, as well as to iron out challenges that have blighted the ties between the two countries over the past few years. “In open and frank discussions, both ministers confirmed their determination and commitment to normalise diplomatic relations as expressed by President Cyril Ramaphosa and President Paul Kagame, following bilateral meetings,” read a joint statement released by the two ministers after Biruta’s visit to South Africa. Now, almost exactly after one month, a team from South Africa has arrived in Rwanda, following up on what transpired in June. In a statement posted on social media on Monday, July 5, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the visit is another signal that both sides are determined to strengthen bilateral relations. “Following Minister Vincent Biruta’s visit to Pretoria last month where he met with his counterpart, a delegation from DIRCO is in Kigali for a working visit. This is another signal that both sides are determined to strengthen bilateral relations,” the statement read. Since 2014, Rwandans, especially students and business travelers, were unable to travel to South Africa due to its visa policy on Rwanda. During Biruta’s visit, it was agreed that mutual actions and measures be taken to direct bilateral relations along a new path for the benefit of the governments and peoples of Rwanda and South Africa. The two ministers also agreed on a road map that will support the normalisation process, Both countries must value and respect the international laws and regulations that govern relations between countries, including territorial integrity and national sovereignty, read the joint statement. The meeting also agreed on, among others, the establishment of a joint mechanism led by the two Ministers to guide and manage the normalisation process. In March 2018, while in Kigali, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that he was working with President Kagame to significantly improve the bilateral ties between both countries. Ramaphosa then said that the issue of visa restrictions against Rwandans traveling to his country should be “considered solved.”
