Contributions to Peacekeeping for Promotion of Localized Rwandan Norms

Abstract

Participation in international peacekeeping is often examined through international policies and outcomes by the contributing militaries and police actors. There are multiple reasons for why nations contribute their military personal to regional and global peacekeeping through liberal international relations theory. This research differs by examining how contribution to peacekeeping can help reinforce domestic norms of contributing states. Rwanda’s post-genocide social development incorporates several norms promoted by the ruling Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) that differs from past governments and the international community. Promotion of the norm, “Home Grown Solutions” (HGS) has been incorporated by the Rwandan Government for local society and through its peacekeepers engagement. Rwandan military and police actors sent to multiple missions introduce HGS practices such as umuganda, gacaca, and the traditional clay stove Rondereza. This research examines Rwandan peacekeeping commitment as a governmental mechanism to promote HGS practices for domestic audiences to reinforce the credibility of these practices. Articles and editorials from within Rwanda’s primary English newspaper, The New Times, illustrate how the government’s norm construction is successful by reinforcing the HGS norm through examples found within peacekeeping to the general Rwandan population.