Reported by: Emma-Marie Umurerwa
Over the last three years, Rwanda has quietly resolved more than 20,000 disputes through mediation, a community-centered approach that justice officials say is making conflict resolution faster, cheaper, and more humane.
The update was shared on December 8 by Domitila Mukantaganzwa, President of the Supreme Court, as she opened Justice Week, an annual event running from December 8 to 19.
Thousands of cases resolved, but Some challenges remain
According to Mukantaganzwa, the government’s 2022 mediation policy has helped thousands of Rwandans settle their disagreements without going through long and costly court battles.
She took a moment to explain what mediation is: a simple, respectful process where people sit together, talk through their disagreement, and agree on a solution guided by a trusted mediator.
“Before Europeans taught us formal courts, Rwandans already solved problems through reconciliation. Mediation fits our culture. It’s not new to us,” she said.
To illustrate, she shared a relatable example: if someone steals a goat, the two sides can come together, agree on repayment, and move on unless the person is a known repeat thief.
Since the policy began, the 20,000 people who settled their disputes represent 10 to 15 percent of all cases that would have otherwise filled courtrooms across the country.
Mediation is now used in many areas civil matters, administrative issues, and especially commercial disputes, where trained mediators support businesses and individuals.
The president of the Commercial Court confirmed that 301 cases were settled this way last year alone.
Mediation can even happen during appeals. Once both parties sign an agreement, it becomes a final, enforceable court decision.
Still, not every area has seen the same success.Mukantaganzwa admitted that divorce mediation remains difficult: “We try, but many couples come when the decision to separate is already final. Delays can even make things worse,” she explained.
For that reason, courts are encouraged to finalize divorce cases quickly. And if separated couples later choose to reconcile, support is still available.
However, mediation has clear limits. Serious crimes including murder, rape, child defilement, embezzlement of public funds, and genocide-related offenses cannot be handled through reconciliation.
“These are heavy crimes with heavy consequences,” Mukantaganzwa emphasized. “They must go through the formal justice system.”
RIB and prosecution join the effort to strengthen mediation
The Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) is also playing a major role.
Since January, RIB says it has resolved 2,800 matters through mediation.
“We focus on reconciliation first before sending files to prosecution,” officials said.
Likewise, the National Prosecution Authority reported that between 2024 and 2025, 3,000 cases were settled through mediation, with 5,000 more currently being handled in the same way this fiscal year.
As Rwanda continues investing in mediation, officials believe even more citizens will benefit from this simple but powerful approach one that honors culture, reduces backlog, and brings people together instead of driving them further apart.
