Issue Brief: Land Conflict in Rwanda

The changing climate and rapid population growth are impacting the availability of farmland in Rwanda and an increase in conflicts over land use and ownership, especially when coupled with dissatisfaction over government policies. However, investments by the government of Rwanda, Rwanda’s network of civil society organizations, and a growing international focus on climate change adaptation present opportunities to prevent and mitigate conflicts over land. Search for Common Ground (Search) convened academics and peacebuilding and policy practitioners in Kigali in November 2021 to examine opportunities to address emerging issues at the intersection of land, climate and conflict. Participants strongly aligned around the need to develop inclusive, participatory, and sustainable responses and adaptation to climate change issues that consider the dynamics of conflict over land in Rwanda.