Rwanda :

Rwanda is considered a success story. After the genocide in 1994, power shifted to the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), and the new government succeeded in developing the country in several areas.

However, this success comes with a downside, and the Rwandan authorities now tolerate little dissent or opposition, often silencing discordant voices.
Rwanda is one of the smallest and most densely populated countries in East Africa. A significant portion of the population relies on agriculture. However, agricultural production struggles to keep up with population growth, increasingly necessitating food imports. Population density exerts strong pressure on available land, making agricultural income insufficient for families. Diversifying income sources is thus a priority.

Rwanda aims to participate in Africa's "New Green Revolution" by promoting market-oriented agriculture and the use of fertilizers and improved seeds. The country is also trying to encourage industrialization. Politically, there are tensions between Rwanda and its neighbors – the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Burundi, and Tanzania. According to the Congolese government and UN experts, the M23 rebels active in North Kivu receive support from Rwanda, although Kigali continues to deny this. Climate change also makes weather less predictable. Periods of heavy rain alternate with worrying droughts, affecting food security.

Caritas International currently has no ongoing projects in Rwanda. However, we maintain good contacts with local Caritas organizations and hope to resume cooperation on the ground in the future.