Eugene Kwibuka
22 September 2008
Kigali — South Africa's Ambassador to Rwanda, Ezra Sigwela, yesterday through a phone interview with The New Times said that his country's relations with Rwanda and the projects the two are undertaking together will not be stalled if President Mbeki steps down.
South African President Thabo Mbeki Saturday accepted the call by the governing African National Congress (ANC) demanding his resignation over alleged interference in a corruption case against his rival, ANC leader Jacob Zuma. The move has caused fears of political chaos in the country, according to analysts.
Ambassador Sigwela said that the relationship between South Africa's ruling party ANC and Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) is strong and that the two Party's good connection, coupled with the work of the two countries' ministers will sustain mutual relations and projects between Rwanda and South Africa.
"I believe strongly in ruling party-to-party relationships . I don't think it [relationship between Rwanda and South Africa] will depreciate at all," he said.
There are currently cooperation agreements between Rwanda and South Africa in various areas like Agriculture, Science and Technology, Water and Forest resources, and Education.
"All of these will not be affected at all. I can assure you that nothing will be affected," Ambassador Sigwela said after mentioning some projects his country is undertaking with Rwanda.
He explained that so far Rwandans going to South Africa for studies are treated as South Africans and the Pretoria government pays a lot of money to maintain this arrangement that rescues Rwandans from paying a lot for their education. Relations between Rwanda and South Africa have also helped the two countries' scientists to continually exchange information, especially in areas of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Agriculture, and forests management.
Sigwela, who described President Mbeki as a 'very good internationalist' for his initiatives in Africa and globally, said that his successor will have to push very hard to maintain South Africa's level of relations with the rest of the world.
ANC's Secretary General, Gwede Mantashe, says that the decision to call President Mbeki to step down was taken after 'a long and difficult discussion' and in the interests of the country's stability, prosperity, and peace.
Analysts say that it is not yet clear when Mbeki will step down or who will succeed him, though the ANC appears to favour the appointment of Parliamentary Speaker, Baleka Mbete, as acting president. Parliament is expected to meet in the coming days to formalise the president's resignation.
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