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Rwanda
>> Regional Overview >> Rwanda Overview Program Data Sheet
696-001USAID MISSION: Rwanda
PROGRAM TITLE: Democracy and Governance (Pillar: Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance)
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE AND NUMBER: Increased Rule of Law and Transparency in Governance, 696-001
STATUS: Continuing
PLANNED FY 2002 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $862,000 DA; $965,000 Prior Year DA
PROPOSED FY 2003 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $ 923,000 DA
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1997 ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2004Summary: USAID's activities focus on three main areas that are critical for re-establishing and maintaining peace and security:
- increasing the number of trained lawyers, supporting a more independent judiciary and increasing popular understanding of the judicial process;
- supporting greater citizen representation and increasing accountability and transparency at all levels of government; and
- strengthening and expanding civil society.
96% voter turnout for Rwanda's first secret ballot local elections - 26% of officials elected were female. Inputs, Outputs and Activities: FY 2002 Program: Plans to seek justice under the traditional legal process - gacaca - are moving ahead and trials for crimes during the genocide should begin in spring 2002. The pending issues surrounding gacaca are vast and include: compensation, crime categorization, witness security, psycho-social traumatization, file preparation, the right to counsel, land rights, post-trial integration of detainees, and unity and reconciliation. Despite these obstacles, the majority of the population believes gacaca is the only alternative for resolution of an estimated 120,000 untried cases of those suspected of crimes during the genocide. Given the complexity of the issues involved, success of gacaca will be measured by many factors, but ultimately by reconciliation and peace in Rwanda and in the Great Lakes Region. The gacaca process is expected to take ten years or more to complete.
USAID will support election planning and civic education efforts as well as assist with computerization of the country's voter registration lists. Funding will continue for activities providing training and technical assistance to the National Assembly and its legislative staff. Training in legislative drafting and budget planning, executive oversight, informed debate and information technology are important areas of this activity. This intervention will also assist the recently formed Constitutional Commission, which the National Assembly supervises, in drafting a new constitution for a 2002 referendum.
USAID also will strengthen the capacity of local government bodies to manage financial resources effectively and responsibly, and encourage citizens to actively participate in government to improve their living conditions. During FY 2002, the USAID fiscal decentralization program will work closely with USAID's health and agriculture teams to augment local community development.
USAID will initiate a new civil society activity, which will provide institutional support to local civil society organizations and strengthen their capacity to promote and protect human rights.
Planned FY 2003 Program: USAID plans to use FY 2003 resources requested in this Budget Justification to continue or expand activities which are successfully contributing to this strategic objective. Assistance related to the 2003 national elections, such as providing material support and monitoring fairness and transparency of the election process will be increased as will expansion of conflict prevention activities. During this period the mission will have undergone the development of a new multi-year program strategy plan, which may identify additional opportunities for intervention, such as the introduction of civic education into the primary and secondary school curricula, and reintegration of ex-combatants after their discharge into civilian society.
Performance and Results: USAID has supported the training of 177 lawyers, many of whom now work in the Rwandan government. Continued support of the judiciary will result in a decrease in the backlog of pending cases through a fair and impartial process. Public awareness campaigns supported by USAID resulted in a phenomenal voter turnout for the March 2001 district council elections. With USAID's assistance, a similar high-voter turnout is expected for the 2003 national elections. USAID also has provided funding for 72 community development projects, with the aim of assisting local governments to responsibly manage public service activities and assets. Another 20 community development projects should be completed this year. Through USAID's support to the elections and community development projects, coupled with commitment of the Rwandan government to a successful gacaca process, it is anticipated that a transition can be made to a fully democratic system.Principal Contractors, Grantees or Agencies: The primes contractors and grantees are Management Sciences for Development, University of Maryland/National University of Rwanda, Internews, Associates in Rural Development, Trocaire, State University of New York, International Rescue Committee and University of Quebec at Montreal. The subcontractor is Haguruka.
US Financing in Thousands of Dollars
696-001 Increased rule of law and transparency in governance DA DFA ESF Through September 30, 2000 Obligations 11,866 15,553 15,600 Expenditures 5,602 13,164 2,926 Unliquidated 6,264 2,389 12,674 Fiscal Year 2001 Obligations 2,000 0 2,100 Expenditures 2,350 1,477 5,996 Through September 30, 2001 Obligations 13,866 15,553 17,700 Expenditures 7,952 14,641 8,922 Unliquidated 5,914 912 8,778 Prior Year Unobligated Funds Obligations 965 0 0 Planned Fiscal Year 2002 NOA Obligations 862 0 0 Total Planned Fiscal Year 2002 Obligations 1,827 0 0 Proposed Fiscal Year 2003 NOA Obligations 923 0 0 Future Obligations 3,500 0 2,450 Est. Total Cost 20,116 15,553 20,150
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Last Updated on: May 29, 2002 |
