Religious organizations on unity and reconciliation program in post-genocide Rwanda. Case of Igiti cy’Umuvumu Association

Abstract

This study sought to assess how religious organizations perceive the process of national unity and reconciliation in Post-Genocide Rwanda, and how they contribute to its implementation. The study specific objectives were set as follows: to analyze how religious programmes have contributed to the unit and reconciliation, to assess how the religious massive initiatives contribute to the unity and reconciliation and to establish how religious emotional support contributed to the unity and reconciliation program in post-Genocide Rwanda. This research used exploratory and qualitative approaches as relevant methodology to facilitate in-depth understanding and interactions between different respondents. The study population was limited to 40 respondents from different categories involving some members from Rwanda Muslims Council (RMC), some members from Roman Catholics Churches, members from Protestants churches, members from Genocide Survivors and members from Former Genocide Prisoners, and finally members from some officials from public and Private Institutions. Findings of this research showed that religious organizations collaborate with government institutions in promoting unity and reconciliation and rebuilding Rwanda after the 1994 Genocide that heavily destroyed all social fabrics. The findings have also shown that religious organizations face challenges, which include the passive resistance to the programs of unity and reconciliation and the researcher provided some various recommendations. The study makes significant contribution to peace and conflict transformation by indicating the weaknesses of religious organizations in implementing existing initiatives and the manner in which unity and reconciliation are reflected in the daily lives, and initiatives religious organizations have undertaken to promote unity and reconciliation.