The UK government has announced that it will not make any further payments to Rwanda following the suspension of the controversial migrant deal between the two countries. The deal, which involved the relocation of asylum seekers from the UK to Rwanda, has been a point of contention since its inception.
On Monday, Yolande Makolo, Rwanda’s government spokesperson, revealed that the UK had requested Rwanda to “quietly forgo” the remaining £50 million ($64 million) payment tied to the agreement. The payment was part of the broader deal in which the UK had pledged to support Rwanda’s efforts to manage and house migrants sent from the UK.
Rwanda, however, has since demanded that the UK honor its financial commitment, accusing the UK government of breaching trust and violating the terms of the agreement by suspending aid to the country. Rwanda claims that the cancellation of the deal and the suspension of aid directly undermines the mutual trust between the two governments.
In response, a UK government spokesperson clarified that no further payments related to the migrant deal would be made. “Rwanda has waived any additional payments,” the spokesperson added, signaling the UK’s firm stance on halting further financial contributions to Rwanda in relation to the deal.
The cancellation of the deal follows mounting legal challenges and political opposition within the UK, with critics arguing that the scheme was ineffective, costly, and potentially in violation of international law. The UK government’s decision to halt payments marks another twist in the ongoing dispute over the migrant relocation policy, which had already sparked widespread debate both in the UK and internationally.
This latest development is expected to escalate tensions between the two countries, as Rwanda now faces the prospect of lost funds for its migration management efforts. As the situation evolves, both governments will likely continue to negotiate over the future of their partnership and the handling of asylum seekers and migration issues.
