RWANDA - DIASPORA ENGAGEMENT

UNCLAS KIGALI 000548 S/GPI MKWALKER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON EFIN PREL EINV RW SUBJECT: RWANDA - DIASPORA ENGAGEMENT REF: STATE 86401 (U) This cable responds to State 86401. Responses are queued to questions A-M in paragraph 15. Post POC is Alexander Sokoloff. Email: Sokoloffaw@state.gov ¶A. (U): Rwanda's diaspora is a well-established and clearly identifiable community. The 1994 genocide galvanized Rwandans living abroad to provide aid to genocide survivors and contribute economic and human capital to rebuild Rwanda. According to some estimates, over 1 million of the diasporan community returned to Rwanda following the genocide. The Rwandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintains a "Diaspora General Directorate" (DGD) to maintain contact with Rwandan communities abroad. DGD organizes annual diaspora conferences--the next is scheduled for December 2009. The Rwanda Diaspora Global Network serves as an umbrella group for diaspora communities with a specific objective of promoting solidarity and better communication among Rwandans living abroad. Other diaspora organizations such as the Rwanda Diaspora Investment Ltd., channel diaspora funds to investment opportunities in Rwanda. ¶B. (U) During the 1994 genocide, most educated and/or professional Rwandans resident in Rwanda died or fled the country. Following the genocide, Rwandans from all parts of the world returned to Rwanda to assist in the rebuilding of the country. Fifteen years later, diasporans continue to play a key role in governing the country, supporting families in Rwanda with remittances, and actively participating in Rwandan civil society. Many GOR ministers, government employees and private sector investors are themselves diasporans. ¶C. (U) The diasporan community has been active in Rwanda since the end of the genocide in 1994 and will likely remain active for the foreseeable future. ¶D. (U) The diasporan community is leading efforts to attract investment and micro-enterprise development, job creation, entrepreneurship and institutional capacity building. There is no aspect of Rwandan economic development that does not include a significant involvement by the diasporan community. Post expects that this level of involvement will continue for the foreseeable future. ¶E. (U) As noted in paragraph D, the diasporan community is intimately involved in Rwanda's economic development including working towards scientific, engineering, medical and educational institution building. Diasporans with backgrounds in these fields have, and will likely continue, to welcome opportunities to engage in science diplomacy programs. Until recently the Minister for Science and Technology in the President's Office was a diasporan ¶F. (U) The Rwandan government and many in the diaspora community are bound together, and equally engaged, in conflict resolution and peace building. This is one of the main reasons for the diaspora returning to Rwanda. The diaspora community will likely continue to be engaged in these processes. To some extent, this engagement could be translated to other bilateral or regional priorities provided the Rwandan government "buys in" to the engagement. ¶G. (U) The diaspora community is actively engaged in meeting the health, education and welfare needs of Rwandans living in Rwanda. Engagement includes financial, human capital and QRwanda. Engagement includes financial, human capital and political support. Prominent examples of this are the One Dollar Campaign and the Diaspora Mutual Fund designed to encourage diasporan support for Rwandan economic development and providing assistance to genocide survivors. ¶H. (U) The primary focus of the diaspora and the Rwandan government is to rebuild Rwanda, provide a foundation for economic, social and educational development and promote national unity and reconciliation. Government leaders and the diaspora community support good governance, accountability and civic education as essential components of economic development. Citing Rwanda's past history of ethnic tensions, the government is wary of ethnic-based divisions that might rekindle conflict. Its approach to democratic debate is cautious. The diaspora community supports this approach, although a significant part of the diaspora is critical of, and remains opposed to, the government. ¶I. (U) The Rwandan government and diasporan community overlap. For example, many key members of the President's cabinet are diasporans. The Rwandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintains a "Diaspora General Directorate" (DGD) specifically to maintain contact with Rwandan communities abroad. The Commercial Bank of Rwanda offers a "Diaspora Banking Service" and a "Diaspora Mortgage Facility." Rwandan diasporans play an active role in promoting Rwanda as a tourist and investment destination. J-M. (U) As noted above, many of the diaspora community are currently serving in the Rwandan government. For example, the Minister of Information is a diasporan who lived in Washington D.C for 22 years before returning last year to Rwanda. The former Minister of Science and Technology is also a diasporan who lived for many years in Atlanta before returning to Rwanda to serve in the government. In July 2009, he returned to Atlanta for family reasons. With so many diasporans taking leadership roles in Rwanda, our public outreach to the GOR, the private sector and Rwandan civil society has effectively included the diasporan community. Post has not initiated any programs specifically customized to the diasporan community living outside of Rwanda. SYMINGTON