KIGALI, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- Rwandan foreign ministry said on Wednesday its South African counterpart made "consistent attempts" to "delay or derail" the course of normalizing bilateral relations.

Rwandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said in a statement that it had communicated "serious concerns" through diplomatic channels about "consistent attempts" by South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation to "delay or derail the course of normalization."

The concerns include "unfounded allegations" made against Rwanda in public statements and media, based on "rumors and distortions propagated by Rwandan detractors based in Canada and South Africa, and media platforms associated with them," said the statement.

The Rwandan foreign ministry also objects to "repeated summons of Rwandan High Commissioner in Pretoria for reasons unknown to the Rwandan government," it said.

Rwanda and South Africa have had lukewarm relations after South Africa expelled in 2014 three Rwandan diplomats it linked to a raid on an exiled Rwandan general's Johannesburg home, and Rwanda retaliated by expelling six South African envoys.

Rwandan Foreign Minister Richard Sezibera said in November that the heads of state of Rwanda and South Africa have tasked foreign ministers to discuss ways of restoring the relations.

He also said bilateral relations between the two countries are progressing to normal and anticipated discussions will primarily focus on strengthening the bilateral ties. Enditem

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