Rwanda has clarified that it is not obligated to repay the significant amount of funds it received from Britain as part of a controversial policy focused on deporting migrants to the Central African nation. The deal involved Britain providing Rwanda with approximately half a billion pounds in development aid in exchange for accepting the migrants.
According to two senior Rwandan government officials, Britain had already paid Rwanda £220 million ($280 million) under the agreement, even though no asylum seekers had been transferred to Rwanda. The plan was initiated by the previous Conservative government in an attempt to discourage irregular migrants from crossing the English Channel to reach Britain in dangerous boats.
After assuming office as the new Prime Minister, Keir Starmer decided to abandon the scheme. The Rwandan government confirmed that there is no provision for reimbursement in the agreement. Alain Mukuralinda, the Deputy Government Spokesperson, emphasized that the agreement was a result of long-term cooperation between the two countries, which evolved into a formal treaty.
Alain Mukuralinda stated, “The British government made the decision to seek cooperation for an extended period, leading to an agreement that was solidified into a treaty. If they choose to retract from the arrangement, that is entirely their prerogative.”
He concluded by saying, “Good luck.”
