KEY FACTS Joined Commonwealth: 2009 Population: 11,777,000 (2013) GDP p.c. growth: 2.2% p.a. 1990–2013 UN HDI 2014: World ranking 151 Official languages: Kinyarwanda, French, English Time: GMT plus 2 hrs : Rwandan (Rwfr)

Geography Area: 26,338 sq km Coastline: None Capital: The Republic of Rwanda is a landlocked country with land borders with four countries: Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo (clockwise from the north). Water cent and permanent cropland ten per cent of people (53 in 1970); life expectancy 64 years covers 1,390 sq km of the country; the the total land area. (44 in 1970). largest lakes include Bulera, Ihema, Kivu Wildlife: National parks and game reserves The main ethnic groups are , (straddling the border with the Democratic cover some eight per cent of the country and comprising an estimated 85 per cent of the Republic of Congo), Mugesera and Muhazi, include the Volcanoes National Park (famous population; (14 per cent); and Twa (less and there are many rivers. The country for its mountain gorillas) and Akagera than one per cent). Censuses carried out comprises five provinces. National Park (elephants, buffaloes, giraffes since the conflict of the 1990s have not Topography: The terrain is rugged with and zebras). Some 20 mammal species and included ethnicity. steep hills and deep valleys, rising in the 14 bird species are thought to be endangered Language: Kinyarwanda, French and English north to the highest peak, Karisimbi (4,519 (2014). are the official languages, and Kiswahili is metres), which lies in a range of volcanoes. Main towns: Kigali (capital, pop. 1.13m in widely spoken. The country is popularly known as the ‘land 2012), Gisenyi (126,706), Ruhengeri (59,300), Religion: Christians (mostly Roman Catholics) of a thousand hills’. Butare (50,220), Gitarama (49,038), Byumba comprise about half the population and most Climate: Though the country is close to the (34,544), Cyangugu (27,416), Nyanza of the rest hold traditional beliefs, often Equator, the climate is tempered by altitude; (25,417), Rwamagana (18,009), Ruhango combined with Christianity. There is a small it is hot and humid in the valleys, and drier (17,051), Gikongoro (16,695), Kibuye minority of Muslims, comprising about two and cooler in the higher elevations. The rainy (12,325) and Kibungo (11,537). per cent of the population, according to the seasons are March–May and October– Transport: There are 14,000 km of roads, 19 2012 census. November; the hottest season August– per cent paved. There is no railway. Health: Public spending on health was six September. The main international airport is Kigali per cent of GDP in 2012. Some 71 per cent Environment: The most significant International. of the population uses an improved drinking environmental issues are drought, limiting the water source and 64 per cent have access to potential for agriculture; overgrazing; soil adequate sanitation facilities (2012). Infant erosion and degradation; and deforestation Society mortality was 37 per 1,000 live births in 2013 due to almost universal use of wood as a KEY FACTS 2013 (122 in 1960). In 2013, 2.9 per cent of fuel. Population per sq km: 447 people aged 15–49 were HIV positive. Vegetation: Thick equatorial rainforest is Life expectancy: 64 years The King Faisal Hospital, Kigali, is the found in the north and west of the country – country’s principal referral centre and Net primary enrolment: 99% forest covering some 18 per cent of the total teaching hospital, Muhima Hospital is also land area – and savannah in the east. Forest Population: 11,777,000 (2013); 27 per cent located in Kigali, and there are health centres, cover has increased at 1.6 per cent p.a. of people live in urban areas; growth 2.1 per health posts, clinics and dispensaries 1990–2010. Arable land comprises 48 per cent p.a. 1990–2013; birth rate 35 per 1,000 throughout the country.

THE COMMONWEALTH YEARBOOK 2015 Rwanda

Education: Public spending on education investment in coffee, tea and minerals Real growth in GDP was 5.1 per cent of GDP in 2013. There are production. Foreign direct investment grew % nine years of compulsory education starting % 10 more slowly than aid. at the age of seven. Primary school comprises The 2000s also saw large-scale privatisation six years and secondary six, with two cycles 8 in the utilities, transport and mining sectors each of three years. The school year starts in and the emergence of new industries such as January. Some 37 per cent of pupils complete 6 eco-tourism and electricity generation from primary school (2009). In October 2008 the g methane gas at Lake Kivu. Growth in mining government decided to change the medium 4 activity and o f exp orts of minerals such as of education from French to English. 2 cassiterite (a tin ore), coltan (a metallic ore The National University of Rwanda was containing niobium and tantalum) and established in 1963 with faculties of medicine 0 wolfram (tungsten) reduced the country’s and social sciences, and a teacher-training 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 dependence on exports of coffee and tea. college. Faculties of law, science and Rwanda’s external debt was substantially technology, and the National Institute of Inflation reduced when it reached completion point Education followed, all now located at Butare % 12 under the IMF/World Bank Heavily Indebted in the south. Among other important tertiary Poor Countries Initiative in March 2005 and institutions are the Kigali Health Institute; the 10 qualified for the Multilateral Debt Relief Kigali Institute of Science and Technology; the Initiative in March 2006, bringing about a fall Rwanda Institute of Administration and 8 in external debt to 17 per cent of GDP in Management; and the School of Finance and 6 2006. Banking. The female–male ratio for gross enrolment in tertiary education is 0.70:1 4 With peace and stable democratic (2011). Literacy among people aged 15–24 is government, strong economic growth 77 per cent (2010). 2 ensued, averaging more than ten per cent p.a. over 1996–2002, albeit much less on a Media: The New Times (daily), Rwanda 0 Herald and Rwanda Newsline are all 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 per capita basis. It then slowed to 5.6 per published in English; Umuseso in cent p.a. during 2003–07 before Kinyarwanda. GDP by sector (2013) strengthening to 11.2 per cent in 2008 and an average of about seven per cent p.a. in Radio Rwanda provides public radio services 2009–15. It was hardly affected by the world Agriculture in Kinyarwanda, French, English and economic downturn of 2008–09. Kiswahili, and there are several private 34.7% commercial or faith radio stations. Télévision Industry Rwandaise provides a public service in the 15.5% History urban areas. Services By the 17th century Tutsis had established a Some five per cent of households have TV 49.8% kingdom in present-day Rwanda where sets (2010). There are three personal Hutus, Tutsis and Twa were living. Rwanda computers per 1,000 people (2006). became part of in 1899. Rwanda is landlocked and densely populated. After World War I, it came under Belgian Communications : Country code 250 (no It has relatively few exploitable resources and administration under a League of Nations area codes); internet domain ‘.rw’. most people are engaged in subsistence mandate, and, from 1920, as part of a UN For every 1,000 people there are four agriculture, which in 2012 contributed about trust territory, ‘Ruanda–Urundi’. landlines, 568 mobile phone subscriptions 35 per cent of GDP. Water resources are After World War II, Rwanda continued to be and 87 internet users (2013). unevenly spread across the country and some administered by . In 1959, as the areas experience periodic droughts. Public holidays: New Year’s Day, Heroes’ independence movement gathered pace, the Commercial cultivation of coffee and tea was Day (1 February), Genocide Memorial ruling Tutsi elite formed a political party, introduced by the colonial administration in Day (7 April), Labour Day (1 May), Union Nationale Rwandaise. The Belgian the first half of the 20th century. Independence Day (1 July), Liberation Day (4 authorities encouraged the majority also July), Assumption (15 August), Christmas Day During the long period of intercommunal to aspire to political power and, in the same and Boxing Day. conflict and massive displacement of people year, a rival party, Parti de l’émancipation du that lasted from independence in 1962 to the Religious festivals whose dates vary from year peuple Hutu (Parmehutu), was established. establishment in 1994 of the government of to year include Good Friday and Eid al-Fitr As the 1960 local elections approached, national unity led by the Rwandan Patriotic (End of Ramadan, two days). Parmehutu initiated a Hutu uprising resulting Front, development and diversification of in the death of many Tutsis and forcing King economy and investment in infrastructure Kigeri V and tens of thousands of Tutsis to Economy and education were on hold. flee into exile in Uganda and Burundi. In KEY FACTS 2013 From 1994, with the strong support of the 1961 the monarchy was abolished and GNI: US$7.3bn international donor community and a large Rwanda became a republic, gaining GNI p.c.: US$620 injection of aid, the government embarked independence from Belgium in 1962, with on a programme of economic reforms, which Parmehutu leader Grégoire Kayibanda as GDP growth: 7.0% p.a. 2009–13 aimed to grow the private sector and develop President; many more Tutsis left the country Inflation: 5.7% p.a. 2009–13 a market economy, and to promote and those who remained faced continuing

THE COMMONWEALTH YEARBOOK 2015 Rwanda

state-sponsored violence and institutionalised The UN Security Council created the The present constitution came into force in discrimination. The most serious eruption of International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda June 2003, with the principal aim of violence at this time was triggered in 1963 by (ICTR) in November 1994 to contribute to the promoting national unity and protecting an incursion from Burundi of exiled Rwandan process of national reconciliation and to the personal liberties and human rights. Tutsis and resulted in the death of at least maintenance of peace in the region. The The executive President is the head of state 15,000 Tutsis at the hands of Hutu gangs. tribunal was established in Arusha, United and commander-in-chief of the armed forces, Kayibanda was overthrown in 1973 in a Republic of Tanzania, in February 1995, for and is elected by universal adult suffrage for a military coup led by army chief of staff the prosecution of those responsible for seven-year term. The President nominates the Juvénal Habyarimana. There then ensued a genocide and other serious violations of Prime Minister and appoints the council of period of military rule, until 1978, when a international humanitarian law committed in ministers on the advice of the Prime Minister. new constitution was promulgated and Rwanda during 1994. Until 2015 the president was able to serve for Habyarimana became President. Some two million Hutus followed the Hutu no more than two terms. In a referendum in December 2015 there was an overwhelming In 1990 forces of the militias into exile in Zaire, where they were majority in favour of allowing the president to (RPF) entered the country from Uganda and accommodated in UN refugee camps. Many serve for a further three terms, one of seven the civil war began. Though predominantly a other Hutus fled to Tanzania. By 1995 the years and two of five years. Tutsi movement, the RPF did win the support Hutu militias and Zairean government forces of a significant element of moderate Hutus. were initiating attacks on Zairean The bicameral legislature comprises the A new constitution promoting multiparty Banyamulenge Tutsis who lived in Eastern Chamber of Deputies and . The democracy was introduced in 1991. Peace Zaire. In October 1996 Rwandan troops and Chamber of Deputies has 80 members, 53 talks brokered by the UN in August 1993 Zairean Tutsis attacked the refugee camps directly elected every five years by universal resulted in a power-sharing agreement where the Hutu militia were based with the adult suffrage and 27 representing: women between Habyarimana and the RPF, the aim of repatriating the refugees. In 1997 the (24 seats), youth (two) and disabled people . Zairean regime was overthrown, Laurent (one). The Senate has 26 members, who Kabila became President and the country was serve for eight years; 12 represent the In April 1994 an aircraft carrying renamed the Democratic Republic of Congo provincial government councils, and two Habyarimana and the Burundian President (DRC). However, in 1998, when it was clear represent academic institutions. The other was shot down on its return from Arusha to that the new government of DRC was not members are nominated, eight by the Kigali, killing all the passengers. The going to return the Hutu militias to Rwanda, President and four by the Parties’ Forum. President’s violent death triggered the co- Rwanda began to lend its support to forces ordinated massacre of Tutsis – and some that opposed Kabila. However, in July 2002 Hutus who opposed the government – by Rwanda and the DRC agreed that Rwanda Politics Hutu militia and elements of the Rwandan would withdraw its troops and DRC would Last elections: 9 August 2010 (presidential), army. In response the RPF began a major work with Rwanda in disarming Hutu militia. 16 September 2013 (parliamentary) offensive from the north. An estimated By October 2002 Rwanda reported it had Next elections: 2017 (presidential), 2018 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were completed its withdrawal, and in March 2005 (parliamentary) killed in the months following the plane the main Hutu rebel group, Forces crash. In July 1994 the RPF took control of Head of state: President démocratiques pour la libération du Rwanda, Kigali and formed an administration based on announced the end of its armed struggle. In Head of government: The President the principles of power-sharing and national November 2007 Rwanda signed a peace Ruling party: Rwandan Patriotic Front reconciliation which were the basis of the agreement with the DRC, under which DRC 1993 Arusha Accords. The administration Women MPs: 64% was to hand over those implicated in the comprised five political parties: the RPF, 1994 genocide to Rwanda or to the ICTR. In April 2000 President Pasteur Bizimungu Christian Democratic Party, Liberal Party, was succeeded by Rwandan Patriotic Front Republican Democratic Movement and Social (RPF) leader Paul Kagame. Following Democratic Party. Pasteur Bizimungu was Constitution endorsement of a new constitution by inaugurated as President for a five-year term; Status: Republic with executive President referendum in May 2003, Kagame won the the RPF military chief Paul Kagame became Legislature: presidential election in August 2003, with 95 Vice-President and Defence Minister. The per cent of votes, and the RPF won the government’s priorities were security, Independence: 1 July 1962 country’s first multiparty parliamentary rebuilding the economy and national reconciliation; it prohibited any official recognition of ethnicity. By February 2007 Rwanda on the international stage some 60,000 prisoners accused of genocide The award-winning film Hotel Rwanda brought Rwanda to the world’s attention once again had been released. on its release in 2004, with its dramatisation of an event that happened during the Shortly after the new government took genocide of 1994. Though none of the principal cast were Rwandan, much of the film was office, a 70-member Transitional National shot in Kigali and locals were used as extras on the film set. Assembly was formed, including Donald Kaberuka, economist and president of the African Development Bank (2005–15), representatives of the five governing parties was born in Byumba in 1951. He served as the country’s Minister of Finance and Economic and three other smaller parties, the Planning for eight years. Democratic Union for Rwandese People, In September 2008 Rwanda became the first nation in the world to elect a majority of Islamic Party and Socialist Party, as well as six women MPs: 45 of the 80 members of the Chamber of Deputies. The number increased to representatives of the Rwandese Patriotic 51 women deputies in the September 2013 election. Army.

THE COMMONWEALTH YEARBOOK 2015 Rwanda

African Union, Common Market for Eastern Further information and Southern Africa, East African Government of Rwanda: www.gov.rw Community, Non-Aligned Movement, National Electoral Commission: www.nec.gov.rw Organisation internationale de la Parliament of Rwanda: www.rwandaparliament.gov.rw Francophonie, United Nations and World National Institute of Statistics Trade Organization. of Rwanda: www.statistics.gov.rw Rwanda joined the East African Community National Bank of Rwanda: www.bnr.rw in July 2007. Commonwealth leaders, Rwanda Tourism: www.rwandatourism.com Commonwealth Secretariat: www.thecommonwealth.org holding their biennial CHOGM in Port of Commonwealth of Nations: www.commonwealthofnations.org/ Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, admitted country/Rwanda Rwanda to the association as a member on Media 28 November 2009. The New Times : www.newtimes.co.rw Rwanda Broadcasting Agency: www.rba.co.rw Rwanda News Agency: www.rnanews.com Traveller information Immigration and customs: Passports must elections in September 2003, with 40 of the resumed diplomatic relations in November be valid for at least six months from arrival. 53 directly elected seats and 74 per cent of 2009. Visas are required by most Commonwealth votes. The Social Democratic Party (SDP) took nationals. A yellow fever vaccination In the parliamentary elections of September seven seats and the Liberal Party six; turnout certificate is required from all travellers aged 2008 the RPF was returned taking 42 seats was 96 per cent. Former President Bizimungu over 12 months. Prohibited imports include and 79 per cent of votes cast; the SDP won received a 15-year jail sentence for animals and fresh food coming from seven seats and the Liberal Party four. embezzlement and inciting violence in June countries which the Rwandan authorities Turnout was again close to 100 per cent. 2004; he was released in April 2007 when he have listed as posing a health risk. received a presidential pardon. In the presidential election of August 2010, Travel within the country: Traffic drives on when 99 per cent of the electorate voted, When in November 2006 a French judge the right. An international driving licence is Kagame won a resounding victory, receiving issued an international arrest warrant for required to drive in Rwanda. Roads between 93.1 per cent of the votes cast. His main rival, Kagame, alleging that the RPF was Jean Damascene Ntawukuriryayo of the SDP, Kigali and major towns are paved, though responsible for shooting down the plane landslides can occur in the rains. carrying former President Juvénal secured 5.1 per cent. Habyarimana in April 1994, Rwanda broke The RPF was returned with a strong mandate Planes are available for charter. Taxis are off diplomatic relations with France. In in the parliamentary elections of 16 September available in the larger towns. Fares should be October 2007 the Rwandan government 2013, gaining 41 elective seats in the Chamber agreed in advance and tipping is not usual. set up an inquiry into the plane crash that of Deputies, with 76 per cent of votes cast. Travel health: Prevalent diseases where had sparked the genocide, which The SDP took seven seats and the Liberal Party appropriate precautionary measures are concluded in late 2009 that Habyarimana’s five. Turnout was again 99 per cent. recommended include hepatitis A, malaria, own army had been responsible. In August schistosomiasis (bilharzia), typhoid and yellow 2008 Rwanda released a report naming fever. The World Health Organization has more than 30 senior French officials International relations recommended vaccination against yellow fever. alleged to have been involved in the Rwanda is a member of the African, 1994 genocide. Rwanda and France Caribbean and Pacific Group of States, There were 815,000 tourist arrivals in 2012.

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THE COMMONWEALTH YEARBOOK 2015