Land Law Reform and Complex State-Building Process in Rwanda

Abstract

This study sheds light on recent land law (land tenure) reform in Rwanda by examining its close and complex relations with state-building. By prioritising land law reform and receiving strong support from external funding agencies, the post-civil warRwanda became the first African country to complete land registration throughout its territory. Land law reform should be considered a part of the radical interventions in rural areas frequently implemented by the Rwandan Patriotic Front-led government and, therefore, has been closely connected to its aspiration to reinforce the existent political order. The government has utilised reform and external financial support for this purpose. However, despite the success of the one-time land registration, Rwanda has encountered serious difficulties in institutionalising sustainable registering systems since transactions of land have been recorded only in exceptional cases. Additionally, it suggests that the government does not have a strong incentive to collect accurate information about properties in rural areas. The widening gap between recorded information and the real situation may affect land administration, which is of tremendous importance to Rwanda and, thus, possibly undermine state control over society.

Older People Reimagining and Envisioning Preventive Care Through Land Acquisition: Evidence From Rwanda

“…It is worth mentioning that, in rural areas, those who do not have enough land to produce food are likely to experience food shortages. Thus, land constitutes a precious means of food production for Rwandans, particularly for rural older adults who secure their food security through their land (Takeuchi & Marara, 2011).…”