In a shocking turn of events, Rwanda has made it clear that they have no intentions of refunding the UK after a controversial multi-million pound migrant deal between the two countries was axed. The scheme, championed by former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Rwandan President Paul Kagame, has been at the center of heated debate since its inception in 2022.
The new UK Prime Minister and Labour Party leader Keir Starmer recently declared the plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda as “dead and buried”, effectively putting an end to the contentious agreement. The previous Conservative government had shelled out a hefty £240m ($310m) to Rwanda as part of the deal.
Rwanda’s government wasted no time in responding to the UK’s expectations of a refund, with a spokesperson emphasizing that repayment was never part of the original agreement. Alain Mukuralinda made it clear that the UK had sought out the partnership with Rwanda, and the terms had been extensively negotiated without any mention of repayment.
The fallout from the scheme’s cancellation is being felt in Rwanda, particularly by workers who had been employed to build housing for the asylum seekers. Concerns about job security and economic stability have been raised, with fears that poverty could once again become a reality in the affected communities.
As the dust settles on this controversial chapter, Prime Minister Starmer has vowed to shift focus towards combating people-smuggling gangs with the launch of a new Border Security Command. The scheme had faced opposition from various quarters, with the UK’s Supreme Court deeming it unlawful and human rights organizations condemning it as cruel and draconian.
Illegal migration remains a pressing issue for the UK government, with over 13,000 individuals crossing the English Channel in small boats so far this year. While efforts to address this challenge continue, it’s clear that the debate surrounding the Rwanda scheme will have lasting implications for both countries and those directly impacted by its aftermath.
