How Abunzi have impacted communities ten years later

Ten years ago, the government introduced the concept of community mediators, locally known as Abunzi. Drawn from the Rwandan tradition of solving problems through community dialogue, the mediation committees started their work in 2004, shortly after the launch of the now globally acclaimed Gacaca semi-traditional courts. They were charged with solving disputes, mainly land-related wrangles at the grassroots. Figures indicate that between 2012 and 2014, mediators adjudicated over 90, 000 disputes. Françoise Mushimiyimana, 38, a resident of Rugalika Sector, Kamonyi District, has been serving as a mediator in her village since 2004. For her, there is no better moral satisfaction than being at the centre of finding lasting peace in her community. “Mediation is the best service you can render to your community,” Mushimiyimana says. She was speaking during a three-day workshop for all mediators in Kamonyi District on Tuesday. The workshop, organised by Kamonyi District in partnership with the Rwanda Initiative for Sustainable development (RISD), attracted over 50 mediators who came together to discuss the way forward to making mediation a better and effective practice. RISD has since extended technical and capacity building support to the mediators. The organisation operates from 10 districts namely, Kicukiro, Gasabo, Kamonyi, Muhanga, Musanze, Karongi, Rubavu, Nyaruguru, Kayonza and Kirerehe Mushimiyimana says such workshops would help them serve their communities effectively. The trainings, which also involve citizens have helped change people’s mindset towards Abunzi. “At the beginning, citizens thought we were judges, but they have come to understand that we are just their neighbours and all we need is lasting peace in the community,” she added. Rwanda has over 30, 000 mediators who constitute cell and sector mediation committees. A report released by RISD this month, found out that Abunzi have won public trust for particularly playing a key role in resolving land-related disputes. The study, conducted in Kamonyi and Musanze districts, revealed that 87 per cent of the respondents were satisfied with Abunzi decisions as compared to other alternatives like family mediation, local government, or civil society entities like churches, among others. “In Kamonyi, 94 per cent of respondents said they become more satisfied when land-related disputes are solved by Abunzi,” the report, read in part. Francois Murenzi, another mediator from Mugina Sector, Kamonyi District, says the number of land related disputes has reduced drastically due to ongoing electronic land registration campaign. “One of the challenges we faced was unclear land tittles. This has, however, been solved with the introduction of the land registration exercise,” he said Annie Kairaba, the Director General of RISD, commended the mediators for promoting peace in their communities. Anastate Munyembabazi, 62, a resident of Nyabigugu Sector, Karongi District had had a dispute with his wife, Alphonsine Munyemana, 47, over a plot of land and the couple had for eight years tried to address their dispute in courts of law but in vain. They were advised to seek redress from Abunzi and Munyembabazi says the issue was settled in a fortnight. “I had sold a piece of our land without my wife’s consent and while distributing the remaining part to my children, I had left out the girls,” he said. “After several years of court battles, we decided to engage Abunzi, who helped us to redistribute the land equally to all the children,” Munyembabazi added. RISD has offered to produce a film on the work of Abunzi these committees across the country which will be released next month during the 10 anniversary celebrations.

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How Abunzi have impacted communities ten years later