HOME
home 
about icg 
programs
  Africa 
  Asia 
  Europe 
  Latin America 
  Middle East 
  Issues 
reports
  by region 
  by date 
  by keyword 
crisiswatch 
media
  media releases 
  articles/op. eds 
  speeches 
  media contacts 
contact us 
donate to icg 
vacancies 
links 

 subscribe
 home  programs  africa  central africa  rwanda
search
 
  “Consensual Democracy” in Post Genocide Rwanda: Evaluating the March 2001 District Elections

INTERNATIONAL CRISIS GROUP MEDIA RELEASE

Rwanda: Tight political control undermines March election

NAIROBI/BRUSSELS, 8 October 2001: The district elections held in Rwanda in March 2001 were an important step in the country’s transition to civilian democracy from the highly militarised system of government established after the 1994 genocide. The aim of the district vote was to begin the process of local empowerment and reconciliation, in accordance with the Rwandan Patriotic Front’s (RPF) model of “consensual democracy”. There was a high turnout and the elections were well organised, but the tight political control exercised on the electoral process undermined its democratic potential.

In a new report, "“Consensual Democracy” in Post Genocide Rwanda: Evaluating the March 2001 District Elections", the International Crisis Group (ICG) urges the international community to open a critical dialogue with the government in Kigali on political development. This process should begin promptly in order to ensure that political activity is fully liberalised ahead of presidential and parliamentary elections in 2003.

It is understandable that security concerns still preoccupy the Rwandan government. There is no doubt that Congo-based Hutu rebel groups pose a serious threat, but this does not always justify the tight domestic political control exercised by the RPF-dominated government. Political restrictions may exacerbate the security threat by encouraging opposition figures to leave the country, allying themselves with RPF rivals outside Rwanda’s borders.

ICG President Gareth Evans said: “Without the acceptance of opposition voices in the internal debate and the eventual return and reintegration of the majority of the Hutu groups, political life in Rwanda will remain distorted and unhealthy. The ongoing writing of the new constitution is a good opportunity for the RPF to show its willingness to increase political freedom.”

Because Rwanda has few resources, international donors can assist by giving financial and technical support to create an efficient election observation program for 2003 and by setting benchmarks for democratic development. Donors should also put pressure on neighbouring governments to stop assistance to ex-FAR and Interahamwe groups responsible for the 1994 mass killings while also giving financial support to the disarmament, demobilisation, reintegration and resettlement process (DDRR) defined in the Lusaka agreement.

Mr Evans said: “Rwanda is now at a crucial stage of post-genocide reconstruction and reconciliation. After seven years in power, the RPF has to be accountable to the people of Rwanda, and not just to itself, its military leadership or its own ideology. A warning from the international community is warranted to prompt the RPF to deliver on its own political promises.”

Media contacts: Katy Cronin and Sascha Pichler at ICG Brussels, +32-2-536 00 64 or 70 - email: [email protected]

All ICG reports are available on our website: www.crisisweb.org

comments


copyright privacy sitemap