Country Reports on Terrorism 2011 - Rwanda

Overview: In 2011, a series of grenade attacks targeted Rwandans in public areas. The Government of Rwanda continued security cooperation and information sharing with the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to combat ongoing mutual threats. Counterterrorism training for border control officials, police, military, and security forces remained a priority.

2011 Terrorist Incidents: There were at least six reports of grenade explosions or attacks in Kigali or along Rwanda's border with the DRC in January, March, and July. The grenade attacks typically targeted areas where Rwandans congregated, such as transportation hubs and markets, resulting in up to 61 people injured and two killed.

• January 28-29: Two separate explosions occurred in Kigali. The first grenade attack injured 26, eight critically, and killed two others. The Rwanda National Police (RNP) took four suspects into custody at the scene. The second explosion occurred in a heavily populated residential area; no injuries or casualties were reported.

• March 1: An unknown assailant threw a grenade at a passenger minibus on a crowded road in Kigali in the early evening hours. Ten people sustained injuries, two critical; however, there were no deaths reported. The RNP arrested three suspects.

• July 10-12: Three attacks struck Rwanda's western border with the DRC. The first reported grenade explosion occurred close to the border with Bukavu, DRC, at the south end of Lake Kivu. Two separate attacks occurred in Gisenyi/Rubavu near the DRC border with Goma at the north end of Lake Kivu, and targeted the homes of local leaders using gunfire and grenades. There were no reports of injuries or casualties.

Legislation and Law Enforcement: There was no new legislation related to terrorism passed in 2011. The security situation in the eastern DRC put pressure on Rwanda's western border area, and the Government of Rwanda continued to work to improve border control measures. The Rwandan Defense Forces, the National Intelligence and Security Services, and the RNP received training from the U.S. government to counter terrorism and violent extremism. The Government of Rwanda began prosecuting more than 100 people detained on suspicions of terrorism and accused of being involved in previous grenade attacks. The prosecution tried suspects in three separate tranches; all three trials were ongoing at year's end.

Countering Terrorist Finance: Rwanda does not belong to a Financial Action Task Force-style regional body. It continued its efforts to implement the 2009 law on the "Prevention and Suppression of Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism."

For further information on money laundering and financial crimes, we refer you to the 2011 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume 2, Money Laundering and Financial Crimes: http://www.state.gov/j/inl/rls/nrcrpt/index.htm.

Regional and International Cooperation: The Government of Rwanda sought to strengthen regional cooperation and counter cross-border threats through increased information sharing with the DRC. It also worked to increase border cooperation and security with its neighbors in the East African community. The Government of Rwanda hosted security and terrorism-focused conferences held under the auspices of regional organizations like the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region and the Economic Community of the Great Lakes Countries.