ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the dynamics of hybrid peace through the Rwandan case in order to make two contributions to a discussion of hybridity. It shows that Rwanda's path to peace provides rich evidence of hybrid peacebuilding, particularly through the transitional justice system – gacaca – developed to deal with crimes of genocide. The chapter focuses on studies of Rwanda's 'local approaches' to argue that, in considering the nature of the peace being built, and the potential for hybrid solutions to enhance local agency, one must remain mindful of which 'local' actors are privileged and how hybrid efforts fit into wider political dynamics. Since the genocide the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) has drawn on pre-colonial models and practices in areas including the three: identity, social reconstruction and justice. The chapter discusses the genesis and pursuit of 'Rwandan solutions to Rwandan problems', in a context of dependence on external support.
