20100806
africanews

South Africa has recalled its ambassador to Rwanda following a diplomatic row over the shooting of an exiled Rwandan general in Johannesburg. Gen Faustin Kayumba Nyamwasa, a critic of Rwandan President Paul Kagame, was shot and wounded in June. SA said it had not broken diplomatic ties and no connection was being made between the ambassador's withdrawal and the shooting.

Rwanda denies any involvement in the shooting of the general.

"We have recalled our ambassador to Rwanda for consultations," said South African foreign ministry director general Ayanda Ntsaluba.

"Let me be categorical. We have not broken diplomatic relations with Rwanda," he added.
He said the two countries were in discussions.

Rwanda summoned South Africa's ambassador to Kigali, Gladstone Dumisani Gwadiso, last month to discuss the investigation into Gen Nyanwasa's shooting.

The former head of the Rwandan army was shot on 19 June. He survived and said President Kagame had ordered the attack.
Five people have been charged in South Africa over the murder, but their nationalities have not been revealed.
Kagame is standing for re-election to a second seven-year term as president on Monday.

He is widely expected to win despite facing criticism for a spate of attacks on government critics in recent months.

The Rwandan government has vehemently denied any involvement in the attacks. But the events have raised international concern about what is happening in Rwanda.

Critics say there is a long history of murders and disappearances of political opponents in Rwanda.

But Kagame remains popular for restoring stability after the 1994 genocide and overseeing strong economic growth.