The Rwandan government has confirmed that it will not be returning the Sh.38.6 billion received from the United Kingdom as part of their asylum seeker agreement.
In a video by the state-owned Rwanda Broadcasting Agency, government spokesperson Alain Mukuralinda clarified that the agreement lacks a clause for reimbursement if either party withdraws.
“We had an agreement. Both parties signed it became an international agreement, we start implementing it, then after that, you want out … best of luck,” the spokesperson said.
“Within the agreement, there was no clause regarding reimbursement… it never stated that the money would be refunded.”
Newly elected UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer criticized the scheme in his first press conference, labeling it as a gimmick and confirming his administration’s intent to scrap the policy.
“The Rwanda scheme was dead and buried before it started. it’s never been a deterrent.
I’m not prepared to continue with gimmicks that don’t act as a deterrent,” he explained.
The agreement, initiated in April 2022 by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, aimed to address the surge of unauthorized entries into the UK by people crossing the border in small boats.
The UK provided Sh.38.6 billion to Rwanda to implement the policy, which faced significant criticism for alleged human rights violations.
In November 2023, the UK Supreme Court ruled the policy unlawful, citing Rwanda’s unsuitability as a safe destination for asylum seekers.
In reaction to the court’s ruling, the UK government released a new treaty with Rwanda, introducing additional security measures and legislation declaring Rwanda a safe country.
Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak supported Johnson’s viewpoint, stating that the asylum plan was intended to prevent vulnerable migrants from falling prey to criminal gangs and nefarious activities.
In April 2024, the UK’s treaty with Rwanda was ratified, and the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Act 2024 was enacted.
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