Rwanda’s Judiciary Reports Over 20,000 Cases Resolved Through Mediation

Kigali - Rwanda’s Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Council of the Judiciary, Domitilla Mukantaganzwa, has revealed that more than 20,000 cases have been resolved through mediation, underscoring its growing role in the country’s justice system.

Speaking at a press conference on December 8, 2025, Mukantaganzwa urged Rwandans not to view mediation as a new or foreign concept, emphasizing that it is deeply rooted in Rwandan tradition and culture.

“Mediation existed long before colonial rule,” she said. “Rwandans had their own ways of establishing the truth, punishing wrongdoing, reconciling families, and resolving disputes. This is not something new; it is who we are and how we live.”

According to the Chief Justice, mediation and plea bargaining have significantly eased the burden on courts, allowing disputes to be settled more quickly, at lower cost, and with less social tension.

Despite the progress, Mukantaganzwa acknowledged that public perception remains a challenge, noting that some citizens still believe mediation allows offenders to escape punishment.

“Changing mindsets takes time,” she said. “Many people are used to a system of winners and losers, or to pursuing personal victory even in cases that are not truly theirs.”

She added that successful mediation requires a willingness to embrace alternative approaches that promote efficiency, cost savings, and social harmony, rather than prolonged and expensive litigation.

Mukantaganzwa stressed that effective mediation requires the active involvement of all sectors, including judicial institutions, law enforcement, and communities. However, she acknowledged that mediation has been less effective in family separation cases, where deep-rooted disputes can lead to further complications.

She also criticized traditional litigation as costly and time-consuming, encouraging Rwandans to feel empowered to resolve disputes outside formal courtrooms where appropriate.

The President of the High Council of Commerce, Clotilde Mukamurera, said mediation has also delivered results in commercial disputes, with 320 business cases resolved through mediation in the past year alone.

The 2024/2025 Judiciary Annual Report shows that disputes worth 7.8 billion Rwandan francs (Rwf) were settled through mediation, highlighting its role as a tool for speedy and effective justice. The report notes that mediation allows disputing parties to play a central role in finding durable solutions, restoring working relationships, and continuing economic activities without prolonged court proceedings.

Support for mediation has also come from law enforcement agencies. Colonel Pacifique Kayigamba Kabanda, Secretary General of the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), said the Public Prosecution Service fully backs the mediation process.

He revealed that since 2025, the RIB has resolved 2,800 cases through mediation, further reinforcing its importance as an alternative dispute resolution mechanism within Rwanda’s justice system.