Britain owes $115 million for refugee resettlement scheme, Kigali tells international court

Rwanda's Claim on Refugee Resettlement Payments

On Wed, Rwanda presented its case to an international arbitration panel, asserting that the United Kingdom owes 100 million pounds under a refugee resettlement agreement. The agreement was terminated by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer shortly after taking office in 2024.

The original agreement, established in 2022 by former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, involved relocating migrants arriving in the UK as stowaways or by boats to Rwanda. This agreement included financial arrangements to support Rwanda in managing associated costs.

Rwanda's Justice Minister, Emmanuel Ugirashebuja, addressed the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, detailing Rwanda's preparations. The country established an asylum appeals chamber, created ministerial and administrative structures, and prepared reception facilities, all incurring substantial expenses.

After Labour's rise to power, Prime Minister Starmer rescinded the agreement without notifying Rwanda. The UK government contends that an agreement was reached in November 2024, stating Rwanda would forgo the payments, which Rwanda disputes.

Rwanda has initiated arbitration proceedings, asserting the UK is attempting to evade its legal obligations. The UK maintains that a mutual agreement was in place negating future payments. The Permanent Court of Arbitration is expected to deliberate for several months before reaching a decision on the matter.

The initial plan to send migrants to Rwanda, orchestrated by Sunak, encountered significant legal and public opposition. The British Supreme Court ruled the policy unlawful, citing Rwanda as an unsafe third country for migrants. The arbitration proceedings initiated by Rwanda in January claim the agreement was abruptly canceled by Starmer, violating terms that included resettling vulnerable refugees from Rwanda.

Based on reporting by Africanews.