Agacaca Justice System

Modern Mechanisms Applied to a Traditional System, says Rwandan Minister Patrick Mazimpaka

Mr Patrick Mazimpaka, a minister in Rwandan President's office met some members of RUGO executive committee on Sep 18th 99. He told them that he had heard of activities of RUGO through its members in Rwanda.

Mr Mazimpaka particularly welcomed the efforts being made towards the construction of a technical school in Rwanda because Rwanda desperately needs a wide range of basic skills in order to develop itself.

Patrick Mazimpaka also outlined to RUGO members the Agacaca system and how it works. This is a traditional, informal system of justice widely used in both pre colonial and post independence Rwanda.

The system will take inspiration from the old system in that it will invite the participation of ordinary people assisted by lawyers but will be a permanent court which will follow the rules set out in the organic law which deals with the crimes of genocide. The court will hear the cases of those accused of the lower categories of genocide, i.e. not those of the planners and ring leaders.

Minister Mazimpaka said that the introduction of the agacaca system was necessary to address a number of issues. First to establish the truth and demonstrate the governments determination to eliminate the culture of impunity, one of the main benefits of introducing this system will be to help speed up the process of those who are being detained on genocide charges, thus overcoming the chronic problem at present of the overcrowded prisons and delays in trying those accused.