No turning back: cementing inclusive governance in Rwanda

Amongst political scientists and sociologists the term ‘inclusive governance’, generally relates to the fundamental right of ALL citizens to meaningfully participate in the decision making processes that affect their lives. This extends to the public institutions, for which the notion of inclusiveness is reflected through their being accessible, accountable and responsive to all.A small yet vocal constituency has proven increasingly sceptical of Rwanda’s achievements in this area, in spite of mounting evidence of the emergence of genuinely inclusive governance, over the last 18 years. In the immediate aftermath of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi, this reaction could have been contextualised in relation to the politics of exclusion that had come to permeate almost all sectors of Rwanda’s political elite until July 1994. However, 18 years on, the facts speak for themselves; and the list of achievements registered by Rwandans – in many cases against all odds – continues to grow, examples of which include:• The restoration and consolidation of Rwanda’s national pride;• The successful initiation of a strategy aiming to transform Rwanda into a middle income economy by 2020;• The popularisation of ‘home-grown’ solutions and initiatives as a means of supporting the resolution of conflicts and the acceleration of poverty reduction;• The cementing of national unity, as a result of the strong and sustained political will to include all progressive elements of society; committed to combating divisionism and Genocide ideology;• A notable increase in the well being of Rwandans resulting from the guaranteeing of equitable access to education, credit and public sector employment for all Rwandans;• The modernization of Rwandans approach to work, through the instilling of a greater sense of professionalism, integrity and a spirit of entrepreneurialism;• The increase in access and use of ICT as a tool for socio-economic transformation by all Rwandans;• The conduct of regional and international diplomacy and cooperation, based on mutual respect and the interests of respective populations.The socio-economic transformation that is plain for all to see over the last 18 years is only one of many of the dividends of inclusive governance that has now taken firm root in Rwanda. The contribution of ordinary Rwandans to the design of policies and the implementation of national development projects and democratic politics has become a reality in the daily lives of Rwandans. Structures ensuring their contribution include, among others: village councils (Inteko z’abaturage), community work (umuganda), representation on district councils and participation in all electoral processes.Furthermore, if the basic message, coming from the channels of political accountability connecting Rwandans to their elected leaders described above is to be believed, the vast majority of Rwandans retain a profound sense of ownership and appreciation of the role of the Rwanda Patriotic Front, under the leadership of H.E President Paul Kagame in ushering these changes.It is therefore telling that, even the most ardent of critics of the narrative of Rwanda’s ascendancy, -- in terms of both the respect of human rights and the well-being of ordinary Rwandans – have had to grudgingly acknowledge the fundamental transformation in the nature of political authority in Rwanda. What matters most is that Rwanda is now at peace with itself. Independent survey data suggests that Rwandans are contented and this is what matters most. Eighteen years following the Genocide and the Rwandan ‘model’ of inclusive governance has helped re-energize political and governance institutions, civil society, the media and a nascent but vibrant and growing private sector. The road is still long, but all the evidence suggests that Rwandans are today united in the knowledge and conviction that, in terms of our political evolution to date, there is no turning back! The author is the Prime Minister of Rwanda.