RWANDA'S MCC THRESHOLD LAUNCH

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KIGALI 000506 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/15/2019 TAGS: EAID ECON PGOV PHUM RW SUBJECT: RWANDA'S MCC THRESHOLD LAUNCH KIGALI 00000506 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: Ambassador W. Stuart Symington, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Senior officials from Millenium Challenge Corporation (MCC) visited Rwanda in late July to meet with key stakeholders involved in implementing Rwanda's three-year, $24.7 million Threshold Program, which focuses on the MCC's "ruling justly" indicators. Senior Government of Rwanda (GOR) officials expressed both determination to implement the program effectively as well as some frustration that Rwanda, which is not yet Compact-eligible, "had not been assessed fairly." The MCC Threshold program provides an excellent opportunity for the GOR, which has already demonstrated impressive results in promoting economic freedom and investing in people, to raise its scores in "political rights," "civil liberties" and "voice and accountability." END SUMMARY. ¶2. (U) Thomas Kelly, MCC's Acting Managing Director for the Threshold Program and Malik Chaka, Director for Threshold Programs in Africa, visited Rwanda July 25-29 and met with GOR officials, MCC program implementers and development partners to get a first-hand view of the Threshold Program's kickoff in Rwanda. Implemented by USAID officers at post in close cooperation with the GOR, the program is designed to strengthen the capacity of the judiciary, the media, and the internal affairs capacity of the Rwandan National Police (RNP),as well as improve governance through increased civic participation at the local and national levels. A USDOJ International Criminal Investigative Assistance Program (ICITAP) resident advisor is working closely with the RNP; international media NGO IREX began working with the media in July; and the justice sector contractor is due to start in late August. USAID/Rwanda intends to hire two additional implementing partners that will focus on strengthening the capacity of national NGOs, local government bodies and local civil society organizations. ¶3. (C) During the visit, GOR representatives conveyed support for the MCC Threshold Program and enthusiasm for its implementation. At the same time, they shared their concerns about issues specific to Rwanda. For example, Finance Minister James Musoni, in influential figure within the GOR, welcomed MCC support and pledged GOR commitment to seeing the program implemented effectively. He also compared Rwanda to several Compact and Compact-eligible countries he considered less worthy than Rwanda and voiced concern that Rwanda's progress "had not been assessed fairly." Musoni stressed that the GOR was keen to achieve the status of a Compact country, over and above receiving Compact funding. In a separate meeting, Information Minister Louise Mushikiwabo thanked MCC for its support of the media sector and then commented that journalists' lack of capacity--both professional and ethical--was the key challenge. She complained in particular about four Kinyarwanda-language newspapers that are distributed weekly or irregularly, charging them with irresponsible, one-sided reporting. At the National University of Rwanda in Huye (Butare),the Qthe National University of Rwanda in Huye (Butare),the director of the journalism school expressed concern that foreign media trainers, while offering quality instruction at the university, sometimes returned home and published articles about Rwanda that were "divisive" in nature. He cautioned that IREX and its subcontractor, Carlton University's "Rwanda Initiative," needed to address this problem when implementing their activities. ¶4. (C) The delegation visited two rural communities where USAID/Rwanda has provided small grants to district governments. This visit shed light on expected challenges and opportunities the Threshold Program will encounter when it, likewise, allocates grant funding to local governments and civil society organizations. The delegation's meeting with the RNP highlighted the strong relationship that had already been established between the ICITAP advisor and RNP leadership. ¶5. (C) COMMENT: The GOR has made remarkable progress toward achieving its ambitious economic and social goals since the 1994 genocide. The strong vision and determination of KIGALI 00000506 002.2 OF 002 Rwanda's leadership, coupled with strategic planning and meticulous implementation at all levels of the GOR, have made Rwanda a model of effective governance in Africa. This is true especially with respect to health care, decentralization initiatives and economic development. However, increasing political competition and ensuring civil liberties remain challenges for this country. Rwanda is still marked profoundly by genocide and challenged to ensure stability and unity as well as economic development. This Threshold Program provides much-appreciated training and cooperation. It is an excellent means to help the GOR move forward to achieve those goals. END COMMENT. SYMINGTON