Spain to ask South Africa for extradiction of ex-Rwandan army chief

Spain is going to ask for the extradition of former Rwandan army chief Faustin Kayumba Nyamwasa who has political asylum in South Africa. Kigali has already sought Nyamwasa’s return to face charges in Rwanda while South Africa says it will make its decision at the right time.

General Faustin Kayumba Nyamwasa (Photo: AFP/Marco Longari)

South African officials will not comment on Spain’s extradition bid for Nyamwasa until it has had an official request from Madrid.

The Spanish cabinet has decided to try Nyamwasa for genocide, crimes against humanity and the murder of four Spanish nationals in the 90s.

South Africa is already considering an extradition request for Nyamwasa from the Rwandan government.

Authorities in Kigali allege that he is behind grenade attacks in the run up to Rwanda’s presidential election last month.

The general is currently recovering after being shot in the stomach outside his Johannesburg home, an attack he blames the Rwandan authorities for.

But South Africa has been careful in not officially pointing any fingers. The attempted assassination has troubled bilateral relations between Pretoria and Kigali.

Nyamwasa fled to South Africa in February after abandoning his post as Rwanda’s chief envoy to India.

Justice ministry officials say his legal position here is complex. Rwanda does not have an extradition treaty with South Africa, but this does not prevent them from sending him back home.