After controversial stints, Vincent Karega takes helm of Rwanda’s new embassy in Algeria
His new assignment in Algiers represents Rwanda's first resident embassy in Algeria — a move that signals Kigali's growing interest in North Africa as part of its broader diplomatic diversification.
Vincent Karega, Rwanda's former ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Belgium's rejected envoy, has presented his credentials to Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, marking a fresh chapter in a career defined by both experience and controversy.
President Paul Kagame appointed Karega to the post in July, underscoring continued confidence in the seasoned diplomat despite his turbulent record.
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His new assignment in Algiers represents Rwanda's first resident embassy in Algeria - a move that signals Kigali's growing interest in North Africa as part of its broader diplomatic diversification.
Karega's previous postings were marked by friction.
He was expelled from Kinshasa in 2022 amid accusations that Rwanda supported the M23 rebel movement in eastern Congo — charges Kigali has repeatedly denied.
Before that, his tenure in South Africa was overshadowed by strained relations following the assassination of exiled Rwandan opposition figure Patrick Karegeya in Johannesburg in 2014, a killing Pretoria linked to Rwandan operatives.
Brussels also quietly turned down Karega's nomination earlier last year, without offering a public explanation — a diplomatic rebuff that further complicated his trajectory.
Algiers, known for its assertive foreign policy and sensitivity to sovereignty issues, will be a demanding posting. Yet it also offers Karega an opportunity for reinvention — a chance to reset his diplomatic legacy in a region where Rwanda seeks new partnerships.
Whether Karega's posting marks redemption or merely relocation will depend on his ability to navigate Algeria's complex diplomacy and avoid the missteps that have shadowed his past assignments.
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