The UK will pay at least 470 million dollars to Rwanda as part of its plan to relocate asylum seekers there, the government revealed on March 1st 2024. Up to 190, 000 dollars will also be paid for each person sent to the east African country over a five-year period. This new reform has formed divided opinions as Labour said the figures in the report by the National Audit Office were a « national scandal ».
In January 2024 , Rwandan President Paul Kagame suggested U.K. efforts to introduce an asylum deal with his country are taking too long to implement after criticism of the plan have brought about protests, lawsuits and rulings that have halted it .Following this, at least 470 million dollars to Rwanda as part of its plan to relocate asylum seekers there, the government revealed on March 1st 2024. Up to $190, 000 will also be paid for each person sent to the east African country Britain’s Home Secretary James Cleverly and Rwandan Minister of Foreign Affairs Vincent Biruta signed a new treaty in Kigali, Rwanda’s capital, in December 2023.
Under the five-year deal, the UK would be able to send individuals who arrive in the country illegally to Rwanda to claim asylum there. The aim of the policy is to deter people from crossing the English Channel in small boats – something Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has made one of his key priorities. However, the scheme has been stalled by legal challenges and no one has been relocated there yet.
The Rwandan government believes the arrival of motivated migrants will help boost their economy and the deal itself will encourage further investment.Under the five-year deal, the UK would be able to send individuals who arrive in the country illegally to Rwanda to claim asylum there.
