The Rwanda Kagame declares war on South Africa Assassinations, Geopolitical Clashes, Rising Tension

Описание: The Rwanda Kagame declares war on South Africa : Assassinations, Geopolitical Clashes, and Rising Tensions
A Deadly Feud in the Shadows of Power
On a quiet evening in Cape Town, South Africa, a man once at the heart of Rwanda’s intelligence operations was found dead in a hotel room. Patrick Karegeya, a former spy chief turned opposition figure, had fled his homeland fearing for his life. His murder in 2014 sent shockwaves across diplomatic circles, laying bare a growing vendetta between Rwanda and South Africa—one marked by covert assassinations, mutual distrust, and geopolitical maneuvering.
This simmering hostility has only escalated over the years, culminating in recent clashes over the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where Rwandan forces and South African peacekeeping troops find themselves on opposite sides of an increasingly volatile conflict. With South Africa warning Rwanda against further attacks on its soldiers, and President Paul Kagame openly dismissing Pretoria’s role as a mediator, the stage is set for a dangerous confrontation.
What is fueling this bitter feud? How did Rwanda, a country once celebrated for its post-genocide recovery, become embroiled in allegations of extrajudicial killings beyond its borders? And why is South Africa, a regional powerhouse, finding itself at odds with Kagame’s government? To understand this deadly rivalry, we must look back at the assassinations, political betrayals, and power struggles that have shaped the strained relationship between the two nations.
Background: The Vendetta Begins
Rwanda’s international reputation has long been intertwined with the leadership of Paul Kagame, who has ruled the country since 2000 after playing a key role in ending the 1994 genocide. However, his tenure has been marred by accusations of authoritarianism, suppression of dissent, and a relentless pursuit of political opponents—both at home and abroad.
South Africa, on the other hand, has positioned itself as a leading voice in African diplomacy, often playing the role of mediator in regional conflicts. However, its decision to harbor Rwandan opposition figures who fled Kagame’s rule has fueled tensions between the two countries. Kigali perceives these exiles not as political dissidents but as threats to national security, prompting a campaign of targeted assassinations beyond its borders.