Development Challenge Other Donors Activity & Budget Information Summary Tables Program Summary Strategic Objective Summary USAID Search: Great Lakes Justice Initiative Previous Years' Activities 2001, 2000, 1999 Wednesday, 29-May-2002 18:52:51 EDT

Introduction

The goal of the Great Lakes Justice Initiative (GLJI) is to strengthen national and local judicial systems and promote processes for reconciliation. The primary U.S. national interests served by the GLJI are the promotion of democracy and human rights and the administration of justice. USAID assistance programs will support anti-corruption and good governance by promoting transparency and accountability at all levels of government and throughout the private sector.

The Development Challenge

The region of the Great Lakes -- which includes Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) -- has been caught in a deepening cycle of violence and anarchy which spills over national and ethnic boundaries. The manipulation of ethnic tensions, political and economic failures have resulted in bloodshed, instability and economic ruin. A majority of the population lives outside the rule of law, where corruption and violence are perpetrated with impunity. In order for the peoples of the Great Lakes region to escape from this vicious cycle, there needs to be a concerted effort to construct effective systems of justice and to move towards reconciliation. To accomplish this, a commitment is needed by African states and donors to make the rule of law a development priority.

Other Donors

USAID recognizes that a multi-donor effort is required to address this development challenge. As the implementation phase of the GLJI gets underway, the United States is actively promoting involvement by other bilateral donors and multilateral organizations, especially our European partners. The U.S. Government will seek to collaborate with public-private partnerships, other professional associations, foundations, and non-government organizations (NGOs) to contribute in-kind resources and enhance cooperation between civil society and government. In the region, the Initiative would engage international and local NGOs as well as civil society institutions.

FY 2002 Program

GLJI resources are being used in Rwanda, the DRC and Burundi. If the progress continues in the Burundi peace negotiations, funding could be increased for justice activities. At this time, GLJI resources in Burundi target NGOs and grassroots groups working to improve human rights and to build a civil society capacity to promote rule of law. In Rwanda, efforts will be focused on: 1) promoting the rule of law through support for the court system, training, equipment, public awareness of the genocide laws as they evolve, traditional legal processes, efforts to encourage ethnic diversity among lawyers and judges, and aid to the new National Human Rights commission; 2) reconciliation through social and economic activities at the local level which promote cooperation and address the deprivation which lies at the heart of the cycle of impunity in the Great Lakes region; 3) encouraging citizen participation through supporting local elections; and 4) support for local elections in Rwanda. GLJI funds in the DRC will: 1) strengthen civil society institutions which promote human rights and improved rule of law systems; 2) create public awareness and demand for accountability in governance and improved human rights practices through civil education and the training of legal and media professionals; and 3) promote the process of the Congolese National Dialogue by supporting civil society participation.

Activity Data Sheets

• 698-026, Great Lakes Justice Initiative (GLJI)