Civic group backs EDPRS2

Zingiro (L) Kairaba and ActionAid Country Director Josephine Uwamar during yesterday’s meeting in Kigali. Saturday Times/Timothy Kisambira.

In a bid to deliver targets outlined in Rwanda’s Second Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS 2) particularly in the land management sector, LandNet Rwanda Chapter has pledged to work closely with government entities in realising rural development through proper management of land. 

The pledge was made during a consultative meeting between officials from LandNet Rwanda Chapter, Rwanda Natural Resource Authority (RNRA) and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning.

According to Annie Kairaba, the national Coordinator of LandNet Rwanda, there is clear evidence of commitment from both the government and LandNet to develop strategies that will ensure the successful implementation of the EDPRS 2 development roadmap.

Kairaba is also the director of Rwanda Initiative for Sustainable Development (RISD), a local NGO.

“Our contribution will include engaging the people on policies through community participation and we will give feedback to policymakers on what is working and what is not working. But particularly in the land sector, we are going to monitor how several policies are implemented and collect people’s views which we will share with policymakers,” said Kairaba. 

http://www.newtimes.co.rw/news/index.php?a=70024&i=15466

NGO adds spark to address land disputes

Ludovic Sibomana, a farmer in Kinyababa Sector, in his garden. RISD is seeking to curb land disputes. The New Times/ Timothy Kisambira.

The recently concluded land registration process was a great feat for the Rwandan people as they now have documents to prove the wealth they posses.

However, based on recent studies, there is a lot more that still needs to be done to address the disturbing number of land-related conflicts that have not only broken up families, but also led to violent crimes.

According to a report by a local NGO, the Rwanda Initiative for Sustainable Development, at least 85 per cent of the land disputes in the country involve land already registered under the Land Tenure Regularisation Programme (LTRP).

The study showed that the disputes are fuelled by land titles as residents become more aware of the market value of land.

“Nearly half (49 per cent) of these disputes are over land parcels that are one hectare or less. Less than 16 per cent of land under disputes was obtained through sale. Most disputed land is not obtained on the market because land remains deeply entrenched in other domains of life, namely the family,” the report said. Read More.....

http://www.newtimes.co.rw/news/index.php?i=15409&a=68401 

African MPs warn govts on land deals

African legislators meeting in Kigali have called for a cautious approach before dishing out land to international investors.

The lawmakers argue that though agricultural foreign direct investments (FDIs) are key to Africa’s food security, it must be properly harnessed to ensure that they deliver on associated benefits. 

The two-day meeting which opened yesterday drew members of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), the Pan African Parliament (PAP), and Rwanda’s lawmakers.

Under the them: Making Agricultural Investments work for Africa–a parliamentarian’s response to the land rush, lawmakers will identify priorities and make concrete suggestions for parliamentary initiatives at national, regional and African level.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, EALA Speaker Margaret Zziwa, said past trends of FDIs in African natural resources show that in many cases, they failed to deliver, leaving the continent grappling with risks and potentially severe negative consequences.

Zziwa said such consequences include loss of smaller holder farmers’ livelihoods; increased landlessness; 

Read more..... http://www.newtimes.co.rw/news/index.php?a=66359&i=15340 

PRESS RELEASE

Strengthening the Strategic Alliance on Land Reform in Rwanda:

RISD and RNRA extend their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)

KIGALI – February 28, 2013. Rwanda Initiative for Sustainable Development (RISD) and the Rwanda Natural Resources Authority (RNRA) will today sign an extension of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for another period of Four Years.  The event will take place at RNRA headquarters in Remera at 3:00pm.  RISD and RNRA have successfully completed implementation of a one year period MoU set out on a trial basis.  Evaluation on the impact of this trial period registered high impact, specifically in relation to clear appreciation of the specific role of each stake holder towards the successful implementation of fair and just Land Tenure Regularization Program (LTRP) in Rwanda towards poverty reduction and sustainable peace and the effective implementation of the Africa Land Policy Framework and Guidelines (ALPFG), as the key objective of this MoU.

Rwanda is going through a very dynamic period of Land Reform implementation, through a Land Tenure Regularisation Program (LTRP) that requires combined efforts of different stake holders given the land related challenges that face the country, mainly: land scarcity; a fast growing population; and a post-conflict situation that has created a problem of multiple land claims that has increased land ownership related disputes. Given these challenges, and the long standing collaboration between RISD and RNRA (formally NLC), over the past one year, the two institutions made a decision to enter the MoU for better coordinated and structured collaboration.  Key registered achievement from this MoU, is clarity on priority focus of each actor, i.e. the roles and responsibilities of government and that of civil society.  The outcome of the MoU confirms the best role of government as that of technical and policy orientation, while that of civil society as that of monitoring, raising awareness of the land rights and obligations, research and documentation of lessons learned for policy improvement.

 The chairperson of the Board of Directors of RISD, His Lordship, Bishop Nathan Kamussime Gasatura, remarks that, “since 2008, RISD made a decision to support the LTRP process by focusing on the area of land related disputes, given the high level of land related claims that may affect the smooth implementation of the program....indeed, through a structured MoU, this support continues to make a realization impact”.   Like in many other countries implementing land reform, RISD experience reveals that, in recent years in Rwanda, more intra-family land related disputes are registered, as the population becomes aware of their rights.  Such disputes require quick intervention to avoid any possible escalation to conflict and any interference of the good progress made towards sustainable peace process in the country.  This is the main objective of the MoU between RISD and the RNRA.  Given the importance of this need, this MoU is extended to even a longer period of Four years so that RISD can support the population in the management of land related disputes that may come about at the end of the LTRP at the end this year of 2013.    

‘The Government of Rwanda (GoR) is a signatory to regional and global land related initiatives and programs, like the Africa Land Policy Framework and Guidelines (ALPFG), signed by the African Union (AU) Heads of State and launched on 27^th October 2010 in Lilongwe Malawi, of which Rwanda has been identified as the Pilot Country’, Reminds the Director General of the RNRA, Dr. Emmanuel Nkurunziza.  Further, The Director General states that, “RNRA is committed to joint monitoring efforts and documenting lessons learnt from the regional initiatives in relation to national land policies which require tripartite partnership of government, civil society and donors, to ensure good governance and sustainable development process”.

For further information, please contact:

Ms. Annie Kairaba, Director of RISD on 0788302452

        email: kairabaa@risdrwanda.org                                                

Mr. Evode Ngombwa, RNRA Communications Officer on 0788448633