Rwanda’s Struggle Against Criminal Actors: A Complex Web of Corruption and Infiltration

Kigali, Rwanda - Despite its reputation for tight control over its territory, Rwanda is facing a complex battle against criminal actors who are infiltrating the country through porous borders. The government has taken steps to combat organized crime, but corruption and political influence remain major hurdles.

State-Embedded Actors: A Growing Concern

Evidence suggests that state-embedded actors are involved in several criminal markets, including arms trafficking.
Corrupt officials have been reported to facilitate illegal wildlife and drug trade, while the Rwandan government allegedly supports rebel groups like M23 in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Border Control: A Major Weakness

Rwanda’s weak borders make it easy for traffickers and smugglers to create and sustain routes in and out of the country.
The Rwandan army patrols and secures borders, but incursions by armed groups occur, and reports of rebel groups at the DRC and Burundi borders persist.

Cybercrime: A Growing Concern

Rwanda has invested in establishing agencies to secure its cyberspace and increase its capacity to resist cybercrimes.
However, the country’s weak cybersecurity infrastructure remains a major concern.

Economic Environment: Conducive to Doing Business

Rwanda’s financial sector is small, but it has taken steps to establish a national anti-money laundering framework.
The risks of money laundering and terrorist financing are not significant, but the laundering of proceeds from the smuggling of minerals from the DRC remains a concern.

The Rwandan government has attempted to provide treatment and victim support, but funding for victim care has been reduced due to the pandemic.
Short-term care facilities offer limited assistance, making victims vulnerable to re-victimization.

Media Landscape: Limited Freedom of Journalists

The government of Rwanda uses various methods to suppress freedom of journalists, including surveillance, espionage, and enforced detention or disappearance.
As a result, most media outlets practice self-censorship in fear of retorsion.

Conclusion

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Rwanda’s struggle against criminal actors is complex and multifaceted. While the government has taken steps to combat organized crime, corruption and political influence remain major hurdles. The country’s weak borders, limited cybersecurity infrastructure, and constrained civil society organizations all contribute to a challenging environment. To effectively address these issues, Rwanda must prioritize transparency, accountability, and protection of journalists’ freedom.