From Monday 25 to Saturday 30 November 2019, the Ministry of Justice in collaboration with European Union organized Abunzi week across the country under the theme: “Sustain amicable disputes settlement mechanism and build the Rwanda we want”. This Week is organised to recognise Mediators' voluntary and important work to the Rwandan community.

The Abunzi week was officially lauched on Tuesday 26^th November 2019 in Umubuga Cell, Ruramira Sector, Kayonza District, in Eastern Province by the Minister of Justice / Attorney General Busingye Johnston along with different officials in Justice Sector, Governor of Eastern Province and other partners in Justice.

While addressing to the citizens of Kayonza District, Minister Busingye thanked all partners in Justice, especially the European Eunion for walking this journey with Ministry of Justice, to give capacity to the Abunzi and other justice activities.

“Today reminds us the foundation of our country. When we come here we come to revisit, to check whether the foundation of our country is still strong. Whenever we failed to find solutions of our own problems, we had problems; whenever we succeeded in owning up and finding solutions to our problems, we always created solutions and our country went on.” Minister said

The Ambassador of European Union in Rwanda, Nicolas Bellomo said that European Union is proud to partner with the Ministry of Justice to support the Abunzi to improve the quality of Justice.

Emmanuel Nteziryayo President of Abunzi in Ruramira Sector, said that from 2014 to 2019, in Ruramira Sector alone, the mediators have solved 1,151 cases. "Since the dispute involves two or more people, we have reconciled double that number," he added.

Nteziryayo Emmanuel appreciates how the Government of Rwanda supports Abunzi to execute their duty through Access to Justice Bureaus (MAJ) office where they get training and different materials.

Abunzi /Mediators are among the homegrown solutions for Rwandans in conflict mediation. They are persons of integrity elected by fellow citizens from Cell to Sector Level to mediate people in conflicts. Each Committee has 7 members. They were established to conciliate parties involved in disputes under their jurisdiction.