HOW TO GET DIVORCE IN RWANDA
DIVORCE
In Rwanda, divorce is filed by parties/ married couples. Divorce is filed before Primary court.
Divorce cannot be filed after the expiration of 5 years from the date when the ground occurred.
Adultery, gender based violence, failure to provide basic needs, cruelty and others.
There are fast growing numbers of divorce cases filed before courts in Rwanda because of the following reasons.
What is the divorce rate in Rwanda?
According to the report by National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda indicated that 8,941 divorces cases were decided by courts in 2019.
It was also evident that 1311 divorce cases were recorded in 2018 as it was reported by Supreme court of Rwanda that year.
Statistics also indicated that number of people seeking divorce had increased drastically, moving from 21 divorces in 2016, to 69 in 2017, and 1,311 cases in 2018 this was reported by https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/161231/News/rising-cases-of-divorce-worry-judiciary
What are the 8 grounds of divorce in Rwanda?
There are several causes of divorce in Rwanda but the key ones are which include but not limited to the following:
1. Adultery: This refers to voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and a person who is not their spouse. Under the Rwandan law Adultery is still criminal offence punishable by law.
2. Desertion for a period of at least twelve (12) consecutive months;
3. Conviction for an offense severely tainting the honor;
4. Refusal to provide for the household needs
5. Excess, abuse or serious insults by one towards another;
6. De facto separation for a period of at least two (2) years.
7. Non-cohabitation for more than twelve consecutive (12) months from the day of celebration of marriage on unjustifiable.
8. Gender based violence:
This literally refers to violence directed against a person because of that person’s gender or violence that affects persons of a particular gender disproportionately.
How long does Rwanda divorce take?
Divorce proceedings / cases in Rwanda may take over 12 months. This is because some courts have case backlog because there are several divorce applicants whose cases are pending. It is therefore advisable for one to plan for at least 18 months from the date of filing.
Advice from divorce lawyer
Further more, it is vital for divorcing couples to collect all evidence and documentation before filing divorce.
Also advisable to seek legal help from divorce or family lawyer or family lawyer because divorce process is not simple at all.
Divorce parties must know that divorce proceedings are not all about custody of children but also sharing of assets & liabilities.
For assistance and more information on divorce in Rwanda please contact us via:
Telephone: +250787314139
Email: muramira3@gmail.com
Website: www.innocentlaw.co.rw
