Kigali (July 21, 2009) – The U.S. Government, in partnership with the Government of Rwanda, is launching a project to support the Government of Rwanda in its efforts to promote civil rights and liberties by enhancing the quality and accountability of police internal investigations. This two-year $1.45 million project will be administered by the U.S. Department of Justice and is the first of a series of activities planned under the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Threshold Country Program, a three-year $25-million program that will be managed by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Rwanda. The Threshold Country Program was specifically designed to improve Rwanda’s scores on the Political Rights, Civil Liberties, and Voice and Accountability governance indicators.
Specifically, the U.S. Department of Justice will provide a long-term resident advisor for a period of two years, who will work with the Rwandan National Police (RNP) to build the capacity of the RNP’s Inspectorate of Services to effectively monitor internal police performance with the goal of preventing misconduct, improving the interaction between the police and civil society, and encouraging better service delivery.
The resident advisor arrived in Rwanda on July 7, 2009. The advisor has over 25 years of police experience in the U.S. and abroad, along with a strong expertise in internal affairs, principles of police management, training concepts, criminal investigation procedures, and community policing. In addition to the resident advisor, the project will bring short-term law enforcement instructors to teach short-term training courses.
This project will directly support the RNP’s Strategic Plan for 2009-2013. In order to maximize the efficiency of project implementation, USAID will coordinate and collaborate closely with donors currently partnering with the RNP
“We are excited to be launching Rwanda’s MCC Threshold Program with this police strengthening project,” said Anne Casper, the Chargé d’Affaires at the United States Embassy/Rwanda. “USAID has worked in close partnership with the Government of Rwanda and the U.S. Department of Justice to design this project. By increasing the RNP’s accountability and transparency, this project will help enhance the RNP’s relations with the Rwandan public and bolster the public confidence in law enforcement and the rule of law,” she said.
“The Rwanda National Police (RNP) is delighted by the forthcoming cooperation and appreciates MCC/USAID’s initiative in supporting the RNP,” said Mary Gahonzire, Commissioner General of the RNP. “The vast experience of the police advisor and his expertise comes to reinforce the already existing mechanisms for enhancing accountability and transparency. The RNP is committed and looking forward to starting the implementation of the program. This partnership will certainly go a long way in increasing the trust and partnership between the RNP and the population it serves. In this way, the RNP will uphold its continuous contribution to sustaining the rule of law, good governance and democracy.”
