|
LISTEN TO THIS THE AFRICANA VOICE ARTICLE NOW
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
The UK government Monday confirmed it will not make any additional payments to Rwanda following the cancellation of their controversial migrant relocation agreement.
On Monday, Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo revealed that the UK had requested Rwanda to “quietly forgo” the outstanding amount—reportedly around ($64m)—on the basis of “trust and good faith.”
However, Rwanda is now demanding the remaining payment, accusing the UK of breaching trust after suspending certain aid programs to the country.
A UK government spokesperson responded in a statement, clarifying that “no further payments in relation to this policy will be made and Rwanda has waived any additional payments.”
The dispute over the payments comes amid a wider rift between the two nations. Last month, the UK announced a halt to bilateral aid to Rwanda, except for programs targeting “the poorest and most vulnerable.”
The decision followed UK allegations that Rwanda was supporting M23, a rebel group responsible for seizing large areas of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in a violent conflict.
Makolo condemned the aid suspension, calling it an “unjustified punitive measure” designed to pressure Rwanda into compromising its national security.
Although Rwanda has consistently denied backing M23, its recent stance has been more defensive. The government argues that it has been forced to take action against what it describes as an “existential threat” posed by genocidal militia groups operating near its borders.
According to UN estimates, between 3,000 and 4,000 Rwandan troops are currently present in eastern DRC.
Makolo stated that Rwanda would now pursue the UK for outstanding payments related to the scrapped migrant relocation deal, asserting that Britain was “legally bound” to fulfill its obligations.
The agreement, introduced by the previous Conservative government in 2022, had already cost the UK £240m ($310m) before Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer formally abandoned it.
Shortly after taking office in July last year, Starmer dismissed the scheme as “dead and buried,” arguing that it had “never been a deterrent” and would have affected less than 1% of small boat arrivals.
Reaffirming the government’s stance, a UK spokesperson stated: “The Home Secretary has been clear that the costly Migration and Economic Development Partnership with Rwanda wasted taxpayer money and should not continue.”
LEAVE A COMMENT
You must be logged in to post a comment.