This study investigates the dual developments of Rwanda’s political and economic evolutions over the last 24 years, under Kagame’s presidency. A closer look is taken at the conditions and processes...Show moreThis study investigates the dual developments of Rwanda’s political and economic evolutions over the last 24 years, under Kagame’s presidency. A closer look is taken at the conditions and processes which have led to the current state of high economic growth, while lacking democratic rights and freedoms. Expanding upon the work of previous scholars, theories on both democracies and economics are used to answer the posed research question by means of theory-testing process testing. The latter include Foreign Direct Investments (FDI). The result of this research expands upon the body of research, focused on the current, rapidly progressing developments in Africa which has gained more international attention due to its recent rapid economic developments.Show less
This thesis conducts a comparative case study analysis of the differing strategies of Rwanda and Uganda in managing conflict minerals from the Democratic Republic of Congo, with the objective to...Show moreThis thesis conducts a comparative case study analysis of the differing strategies of Rwanda and Uganda in managing conflict minerals from the Democratic Republic of Congo, with the objective to contribute to a nuanced understanding of power dynamics and security imperatives in the African Great Lakes Region. By applying a realist theoretical International Relations framework, this study analyses how the respective strategies of Rwanda and Uganda reflect their economic, security, and geopolitical interests, as well as the implications for regional stability. The methodology of this thesis relies on a systematic document analysis of UNSC Group of Experts reports, complemented with research reports by NGOs and think tanks. This thesis reveals that Rwanda's policies combine centralised and confrontational strategies with its historical security narrative, whereas Uganda's policies focus on maintaining entrenched smuggling networks and strategic use of minerals to boost its economy and regional significance. The comparative analysis illustrates how both countries use conflict minerals to enhance their geopolitical position in the region, thereby contributing to regional instability and a security dilemma.Show less
Economic sanctions are as old as history itself. In recent times, economic sanctions are more and more used as a foreign policy tool. Recent research has shown that comprehensive, as well as...Show moreEconomic sanctions are as old as history itself. In recent times, economic sanctions are more and more used as a foreign policy tool. Recent research has shown that comprehensive, as well as targeted sanctions economic sanction have a negative effect on civil liberties. The causal mechanism between targeted sanctions and the deterioration of civil liberties is however only theorized and not empirically studied. This thesis aims at discovering this causal chain in order to provide a better understanding of how to use targeted sanctions as a foreign policy tool. To achieve this, two case studies are conducted on Sierra Leone and Rwanda. The methods used in this thesis are of a qualitative nature and are aimed at process-tracing. The data that is used comes from non-governmental organisations and other datasets. The documents are studied using in-dept document analysis. The results suggest that support exists for the last part of the causal chain. However, by because no support exists for the first part of the causal chain, it cannot be said with certainty that the evidence indeed points at the existence of the second part of the causal mechanism. However, this thesis provides a valuable stepping stone for further research on this subject.Show less
In the aftermath of the genocide in Rwanda, multiple transitional justice mechanisms have been used to ensure accountability, serve justice and achieve reconciliation, but mainly, to pursue the...Show moreIn the aftermath of the genocide in Rwanda, multiple transitional justice mechanisms have been used to ensure accountability, serve justice and achieve reconciliation, but mainly, to pursue the rights of the victims of Rwanda. The principal of TJ has mostly been on judicial mechanisms, and it has appeared that this is also the case in Rwanda. This research aims to view if and how the ordinary courts, the Gacaca courts and the International Criminal Tribunal (ICTR) for Rwanda have pursued Rwandan victims’ right to compensation. The 2005 Reparation Principles set out by the UN General Assembly indicate the rights of victims after gross violations of human rights. This document also clearly states the right to compensation for a victim. This principle forms the framework which makes it possible in the analysis to examine if and how the various judicial mechanisms in Rwanda have pursued this right. The analysis shows that the maybe not quite expected ordinary courts of Rwanda were best able to pursue the right of compensation compared to the other judicial mechanisms, even though these courts still showed a lack of consistency in providing compensation. The Gacaca courts have attempted to enforce this right. Still, they have largely failed to do so. The ICTR has hardly provided the Rwandan victims with compensation.Show less
The understanding of life as a complex system is becoming more and more prominent in many academic disciplines. This study applies this systems’ perspective to understand how transitional justice ...Show moreThe understanding of life as a complex system is becoming more and more prominent in many academic disciplines. This study applies this systems’ perspective to understand how transitional justice (TJ) practice contributes to reconciliation. Based on existing literature, a theoretical framework is constructed which theorizes that in the social network of TJ society, there is an emergent process towards reconciliation. This process is based on the value of interconnectedness. TJ practices emerge as part of this process and can serve as a catalysator. This emergent process is impacted by formal TJ structure and the TJ governance network. Consequently, this study applies this theoretical framework to the case of the post-genocide gacaca trials in Rwanda. The findings demonstrate that the model provides insights into the case. However, further research is needed to validate the theoretical framework.Show less
Purpose: This study tests the recently advanced ‘collaborative model’ of political-bureaucratic relations in the case of Rwanda. This model has been at the root of many developmental success...Show morePurpose: This study tests the recently advanced ‘collaborative model’ of political-bureaucratic relations in the case of Rwanda. This model has been at the root of many developmental success stories, yet this the first study to empirically test this model post-formulation. Thus, this study ascertains the model’s presence and functioning, and observes how it manifests itself in one of Africa’s most rapidly developing countries. Methodology: This case study uses a theory-testing process-tracing method to examine the presence and functioning of the theorised model in empirical reality. Data is retrieved from government documents, books, third party reports, previous academic works and selected news articles. Findings: The collaborative model is deemed to be present in the case. Rwanda’s elites are committed to development and have gone to great lengths to create a capable state. Yet this study finds that bureaucratic autonomy, a vital feature of the model, is often limited. The country’s central economic ministry, which plays a key role in development and the Rwandan policy process, is a key exception. Implications: This study argues that the collaborative model of political-bureaucratic relations is a useful tool in understanding developing country governance. Areas for refinement of the model include bureaucratic autonomy and the dimension that aid brings to the African context if the model is to be of value in this context. Contribution: This study adds to a rapidly growing body of public administration literature focused on the developing country context, as well as the extensive bodies of literature concerning political-bureaucratic relations and Rwanda’s governance and development.Show less
A continent that is continually viewed as a victim from its history of marginalization and exploitation, African states struggle for their place in international relations. Africa is hardly studied...Show moreA continent that is continually viewed as a victim from its history of marginalization and exploitation, African states struggle for their place in international relations. Africa is hardly studied on its role and impact on exogenous actors and relations. Consequently, it is therefore simple to view Africa as the hopeless continent as it is primarily studied on its history of exploitation. However, African states have been amongst the first to declare themselves nuclear free zones, they drove the global campaign to end apartheid and much more (Van Wyk, 2015, 108). What is more is how African states have exerted agency in international relations. The use of unusual tactics like utilizing a victim discourse that has been prescribed to them to their advantage.Show less
This thesis deals with the repatriation of Rwandan refugees to Rwanda. In the following paper, Megan Bradley's Theory of Just Return is applied to a new case study, the situation of Rwandan...Show moreThis thesis deals with the repatriation of Rwandan refugees to Rwanda. In the following paper, Megan Bradley's Theory of Just Return is applied to a new case study, the situation of Rwandan refugees in Uganda and their return to Rwanda. By focusing on the policies implemented to facilitate the reintegration of the returnees, this thesis explores the new relationship between state and returnee as well as the importance of redress in repatriation.Show less
This paper explores the effects of the reconciliation policies in Rwanda that have been implemented after the genocide in 1994 on the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC. An overview of the ethnic...Show moreThis paper explores the effects of the reconciliation policies in Rwanda that have been implemented after the genocide in 1994 on the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC. An overview of the ethnic tension that eventually caused the genocide is given in order to give an understanding of the ethnic relation between the Hutus and the Tutsis. The events of the genocide also show what caused the difficult relation between the international community and the current Rwandan government and how the conflict shifted borders. In the aftermath of the genocide, the Rwandan government led by Paul Kagame, implemented policies to create a national narrative and reject the ethnical division that caused the genocide, but at the same time, the national narrative clearly identifies the victims and the predators of the genocide. Even though the ethnic issues are seemingly resolved in Rwanda, ethnicity still plays an important role in the conflict in Eastern Congo. Hutu refugees are as a collective regarded as the predators of the genocide and they are still fighting Tutsi rebel groups who are supported by Kagame and his RPF forces.Show less
“Processes of globalisation, new migratory patterns and the creation of transnational entities have altered political dynamics. Crossing geographic, cultural and political borders, diaspora...Show more“Processes of globalisation, new migratory patterns and the creation of transnational entities have altered political dynamics. Crossing geographic, cultural and political borders, diaspora communities have become more numerous gaining political significance. With the end of the Cold War and the opening of new political spaces, diasporas have been increasingly recognised as emerging non-state actors in the international arena. While the importance of studying diaspora politics and their impact has generally been acknowledged, there remains an active debate on the nature and scope of diaspora politics and their actual influence on the global political arena. In this context, this thesis examines how diaspora communities exert influence on foreign policy making towards their home countries. Through an in-depth case study of the Rwandan diaspora living in the Netherlands, it will contribute to the broader field of diaspora politics by generating insights that enhance the understanding of diaspora’s critical roles and political engagement with their host countries. Examining conditions – both attribute-based and contextual factors in the host country – which limit or enhance the diaspora’s ability to exert political agency, provides an understanding of the diaspora’s potential in influencing foreign policy formulation, contextualising them as actors in the global arena. “Show less
Transitional justice plays a central role in helping nations move forward in post-conflict periods in which nations have suffered from mass violence and other atrocities. Moreover, educating youth...Show moreTransitional justice plays a central role in helping nations move forward in post-conflict periods in which nations have suffered from mass violence and other atrocities. Moreover, educating youth on the past is necessary in order to work towards reconciliation and preventing the reoccurrence of atrocities. By presenting a comparative study of two countries that have gone through the same type of horrific violence, this thesis will examine the transitional justice approaches adopted in the field of education Cambodia and Rwanda, whereby it will conclude which one has promoted the most effective way of dealing with the past. According to International Centre for Transitional Justice (2018), the aims of transitional justice is ‘the recognition of the dignity of individuals, the redress and acknowledgment of violations and the aim to prevent them happening again.’ Thus, I argue that education plays a crucial role in transitional justice, and is not only important in teaching youth about a country’s history, but schools also help shape politics and create intergroup relations. The aim of this thesis is to contribute to the research on the relationship between transitional justice and education. By presenting two case studies, I will analyse which one of the two approaches in education has proven more successful as a mechanism of transitional justice. Lastly, I will conclude with a summary of the findings and give further recommendations.Show less
This thesis analyzes the construction of collective memory of the role of women in the Rwandan genocide, as produced by the Rwandan government. The Rwandan government simplifies its constructions...Show moreThis thesis analyzes the construction of collective memory of the role of women in the Rwandan genocide, as produced by the Rwandan government. The Rwandan government simplifies its constructions of memory about the role of women in the genocide, generally remembering all women as victims, even though the reality is far more complex. This thesis examines two case studies of memory as produced by the government: speeches by Rwandan president Paul Kagame, and displays at the Kigali Genocide Memorial center. These will reveal the government’s motivations for their production of simplified memory, as the government can use the simplification of the role of women in the construction of both international and domestic memory, which serves a number of goals.Show less
The hypothesis presented in this thesis states that the EU applied a collaborative pro-democracy strategy in Rwanda partly due to its positive levels of stability and development. Rwanda has been...Show moreThe hypothesis presented in this thesis states that the EU applied a collaborative pro-democracy strategy in Rwanda partly due to its positive levels of stability and development. Rwanda has been compared to two other African countries, Niger and Guinea, which share a similar situation but which received a confrontation strategy from the EU instead.Show less
