Rwanda unveils landmark study on alternative dispute resolution to boost access to justice

Kigali, October 21, 2025, In a move set to reshape Rwanda’s justice landscape, the Ministry of Justice, in partnership with International Alert Rwanda, has unveiled the country’s first-ever national study mapping alternative dispute resolution (ADR) service providers.

The landmark research aims to strengthen access to justice through homegrown solutions that emphasize dialogue, mediation, and reconciliation over lengthy court battles.

The study paints a vivid picture of Rwanda’s growing ADR ecosystem, one that blends state and community efforts to ensure conflicts are resolved peacefully and efficiently.

It identifies both state actors such as Abunzi mediation committees, Maisons d’Accès à la Justice (MAJ), courts, the National Public Prosecution Authority (NPPA), the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB); notably through plea bargaining and the Office of the Ombudsman.

Alongside these, a vibrant network of non-state actors including NGOs, community-based organizations, faith-based groups, and legal clinics are also helping citizens settle disputes outside formal courtrooms.

The research recorded 522 certified mediators and representatives from 2,720 religious denominations, reflecting the country’s deep cultural commitment to reconciliation and social harmony.

Mediation leading the way

According to the study, mediation remains Rwanda’s most popular dispute resolution method, accounting for 39.4% of all ADR cases, followed by conciliation (30.5%), negotiation (26%), and arbitration (4.1%).

Most disputes handled through ADR are civil matters (70.9%), with an overwhelming 92.9% linked to family conflicts; a sign that families are increasingly turning to dialogue over confrontation.

Beyond the numbers, the findings tell a human story: families avoiding costly court proceedings, neighbors finding common ground, and communities rebuilding trust after disagreements.

“Every effort counts”

Speaking during the launch, Mr. Mbonera Théophile, the Permanent Secretary and Solicitor General at the Ministry of Justice, emphasized ADR’s growing impact in improving access to justice and reducing pressure on courts.

“ADR mechanisms enhance access to justice and promote peaceful conflict resolution,” he said. “This research strengthens coordination and advances the implementation of the National ADR Policy.”

He added that the country is already seeing tangible progress.

“Efforts in implementing the ADR Policy are not useless but very helpful to the Rwandan community. Court case backlogs and overcrowding in correctional facilities are already reducing—showing progress toward a more accessible and peaceful justice system.”

Three years since the National ADR Policy was adopted, Mr. Mbonera commended the collaboration of local and international partners whose contributions continue to drive the vision of a fair and inclusive justice system.

“No contribution is too small. Every effort counts in building a society where disputes are resolved amicably and conflicts that could lead to violence are prevented,” he emphasized.

A step toward inclusive justice

The launch marks more than just the release of a report—it signals Rwanda’s steady journey toward a justice system that values reconciliation over retribution.

By promoting dialogue and community-led mediation, the government hopes to make justice not only faster but also more meaningful to ordinary citizens.

As Rwanda continues to champion homegrown solutions, the ADR framework stands as a reminder that peace and justice often begin at the community level, around a table, in conversation, and with a willingness to listen.