Chief Justice Domitilla Mukantaganzwa has called on judges to embrace mediation as a one of major alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms in Rwanda’s justice system. Speaking on May 30 during a meeting with over 290 judges, Mukantaganzwa emphasized that mediation aligns with Rwanda’s cultural values and offers a more human-centered path to justice. “Justice isn’t only served when someone is jailed,” she said. “The government adopted ADR so that disputes, especially those within families and communities, can be resolved amicably. It’s high time we moved away from the belief that imprisonment is the only path to justice,” she said. ALSO READ: Chief Justice says 80% of disputes could be handled through ADR The Chief Justice reminded the judicial staff that mediation is not a foreign import but a reflection of long-standing African traditions of conflict resolution rooted in mutual respect, reintegration, and restoration. “Even before written laws, our communities sat down, reconciled, punished wrongdoing fairly, and welcomed people back. That is the foundation we must return to,” Mukantaganzwa said. The push to institutionalize court-annexed mediation, a process facilitated by judges or registrars in the pre-trial stages, has gained momentum since the adoption of the ADR policy in 2022. Plea-bargaining is another form of ADR. ADR mechanisms allow parties to resolve disputes early, easing court backlogs and promoting faster, less adversarial outcomes. ALSO READ: Rwanda saved over Rwf7bn through alternative dispute resolution in 2023 Beyond mediation, Chief Justice Mukantaganzwa also urged a stronger embrace of other ADR mechanisms, which, while legally recognized, have yet to be normalised. “These are not foreign practices,” she said. “Dialogue and mutual understanding have always been part of African justice systems unlike the adversarial frameworks of some Western models.” Judge Patricie Mukayeza of the Commercial Court reported that out of 726 cases handled since 2019, just about 250 were resolved through ADR. “Some lawyers still reject mediation or misunderstand it. That mindset needs to change,” Mukayeza said. ALSO READ: Why does mediation in resolving business disputes matter? Judge Jean Damascene Mbarushimana from Mbogo Primary Court in Rulindo District, noted that out of 349 cases adjudicated in the past three months, only 23 involved plea-bargaining due to limited engagement by prosecutors. In response, the Chief Justice underscored that meaningful change depends on collective mindset shifts. “Rather than blaming one another, all actors in the justice system must work together. This is more than a reform, this is a national direction,” she said. Introduced formally through legal reforms, ADR mechanisms in Rwanda particularly in civil, commercial, labor, and administrative cases were designed to improve access to justice, reduce case backlog, and promote reconciliation.
