Rwanda: The Agaciro Development Fund; whether citizens are required to contribute to it and the consequences, if applicable, of refusing to contribute to it (2010-May 2013)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Publication Date | 13 May 2013 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | RWA104410.FE |
| Related Document(s) | Rwanda : information sur le Fonds de développement Agaciro; information indiquant si les citoyens sont obligés d'y contribuer et, le cas échéant, information sur les conséquences d'un refus (2010-mai 2013) |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Rwanda: The Agaciro Development Fund; whether citizens are required to contribute to it and the consequences, if applicable, of refusing to contribute to it (2010-May 2013), 13 May 2013, RWA104410.FE , available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5396b0826.html [accessed 21 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
According to a document published by the Agaciro Development Fund of Rwanda, the fund is the country's first solidarity fund (Fonds Agaciro n.d.). The idea for a fund was proposed during the National Dialogue "Umushyikirano" in 2011 (ibid.; Syfia Grands Lacs 25 Oct. 2012). The fund was officially launched on 23 August 2012 (ibid.; Jeune Afrique 21 Aug. 2012). The word "Agaciro" comes from kinyarwanda and means [translation] "dignity" (ibid.; Syfia Grands Lacs 25 Oct. 2012).
The Minister of Finance and Economic Planning stated that the goal of the fund is to [translation] "make the country increasingly independent of foreign aid and give Rwandans back their dignity" (cited in Jeune Afrique 21 Aug. 2012). In addition, the Minister stated that [translation] "the funds raised will be used to complete the national budget and support government projects such as access to electricity in rural areas" (ibid.).
The document published by the Agaciro Development Fund also states that the fund is based on [translation] "voluntary contributions from Rwandan citizens living in Rwanda, those living abroad, private companies and Friends of Rwanda" (Fonds Agaciro n.d.). It will be managed by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning during [translation] "the transition," and then it will be [translation] "independently managed and will always be controlled by an external auditor" who will publish the results of the assessment (ibid.).
However, the United States Department of State's Country Reports for Human Rights Practices for 2012 states that "local leaders, employers, and Rwandan embassy staff coerced persons into donating one month's salary into the government's Agaciro Development Fund," despite orders from cabinet not to do so (US 19 Apr. 2013, 18,19). Similarly, according to an article published by the East African, a Kenyan newspaper published weekly that covers, in particular, politics and the economy in eastern Africa (Factiva n.d.), some government employees allege that they were coerced into surrendering the equivalent of a full month's salary towards the fund (The East African 20 Oct. 2012). The Minister of Finance and Economic Planning of Rwanda stated that [translation] "in the districts...managers concerned about scoring points are using coercion to make the population contribute to the Agaciro Development Fund" (cited in ORINFOR 20-24 Sept. 2012).
Reuters points out that although wealthy Rwandans are being encouraged to donate 10 percent of their salary on a solely voluntary basis, "social pressure to take part is strong" (21 Oct. 2012). According to a Kigali activist for human rights, some elected officials [translation] "come around with lists of neighbours' contributions to motivate the poorer people and the undecided. When the person sees the list, they are embarrassed and feel obliged to give more, so that they are not the last. It is a way of forcing people to supply the fund" (cited in Syfia Grands Lacs 25 Oct. 2012).
Some teachers were forced to contribute to the fund by donating part of their salary (ibid.; The East African 20 Oct. 2012; ORINFOR 20-24 Sept. 2012). However, sources indicate that government authorities refused the money from the teachers who had not contributed it voluntarily (ibid.; The East African 20 Oct. 2012; Syfia Grands Lacs 25 Oct. 2012).
Members and employees of other organizations, including those below, also contributed the equivalent of one month's salary to the Agaciro Development Fund:
Rwandan National Police (Rwanda 8 Sept. 2012)
Rwandan National Bank (Rwanda Focus 29 Aug. 2012)
Integrated Polytechnic Regional Centre of Kigali (IPRC n.d.)
No information on the consequences of refusing to contribute to the Agaciro Development Fund could be found among the sources consulted within the time constraints for this Response.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Fonds de développement Agaciro. N.d. "Fonds de développement Agaciro." [Accessed 7 May 2013]
The East African [Kenya]. 20 October 2012. Edmund Kagire. "Agaciro Fund: Govt Workers Allege Coercion." [Accessed 10 May 2013]
Factiva. N.d. "Source Search." (Factiva)
Integrated Polytechnic Regional Centre (IPRC). N.d. "IPRC-Kigali Staff Accord a Contribution of 100 Million to Agaciro Development Fund." [Accessed 10 May 2013]
Jeune Afrique [Paris]. 21 August 2012. Trésor Kibangula. "Rwanda : 'Agaciro', ou comment Kagamé compte se passer de l'aide internationale." [Accessed 7 May 2013]
Office rwandais de l'information (ORINFOR). 20-24 September 2012. "Le Fonds Agaciro totalise 18 milliards de FRW." [Accessed 10 May 2013]
Reuters. 21 October 2012. Mark John. "Analysis: Defiant Rwanda Calls West's Bluff on Aid." [Accessed 10 May 2013]
Rwanda. 8 September 2012. Rwanda National Police. "Rwanda National Police Contributes Rwf. 502m to Agaciro Fund." [Accessed 10 May 2013]
Rwanda Focus. 29 August 2012. Kenneth Agutamba. "Rwanda: BNR Staff Surrender a Month's Salary to Raise FRW 310 Million for Agaciro." [Accessed 10 May 2013]
Syfia Grands Lacs. 25 October 2012. Paul Durand. "Rwanda : Agaciro : cotisation patriotique 'volontaire.'" [Accessed 9 May 2013]
United States (US). 19 April 2013. Department of State. "Rwanda." Country Reports on Human Right Practices for 2012. [Accessed 8 May 2013]
Additional Sources Consulted
Oral source: Attempts to contact a representative of the Great Lakes Region Human Rights League (Ligue des droits de la personne dans la région des Grands Lacs) were unsuccessful.
Internet sites, including: Afrik.com; Agence de presse africaine; AllAfrica.com; Australia - Migration Review Tribunal; ecoi.net; Factiva; Freedom House; Rwanda - Ministère des Finances et de la Planification économique; Le Monde diplomatique; Le Pays; La Presse; Rwandan Diaspora in Montréal; United Kingdom - Country of Origin Research and Information, Home Office; United Nations - Refworld.
