Local Justice, Global Image: The Abunzi mediation system as Soft Power in Post- Conflict Rwanda

Author(s)	Dr. ANTOINE K. NYAGATOMA
Country	Rwanda
Abstract	This study examines the Abunzi mediation system in Rwanda as both a mechanism of community justice and a strategic tool of soft power. Drawing on survey data from 385 participants—including mediators, officials, and community members in 15 districts of Rwanda—the research finds near-universal trust in the system’s fairness (98%) and widespread participation, affirming its cultural legitimacy and integration in local governance. Respondents instead highlight a convergence: the Abunzi's international status as symbols of stability and reconciliation reflects a true domestic commitment to community-based justice, with government rhetoric closely aligned with grassroots realities. These findings reveal the Abunzi’s hybrid legal identity and dual role in mediating both local disputes and Rwanda’s global reputation, advancing debates on transitional justice, vernacular governance, and post-conflict legitimacy, while positioning the Abunzi as a globally relevant model of community-based soft power.
Keywords	Abunzi mediation system, Community justice, Soft power, Post-genocide Rwanda, Vernacular governance, Transitional justice, Legitimacy
Field	Sociology > Politics
Published In	Volume 7, Issue 6, November-December 2025
Published On	2025-12-17
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2025.v07i06.63710

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