Rwanda’s Stance on Repayment of Funds from Britain

Senior Rwandan government officials have clarified that Rwanda is not obligated to repay the hundreds of millions of pounds it received from Britain as part of a controversial policy. This policy aimed to send migrants on one-way flights to Rwanda.

Under the agreement, Britain had committed to providing Rwanda with around half a billion pounds in development funding in exchange for accepting the migrants. Despite Britain having already paid Rwanda £220 million ($280 million), no asylum seekers were deported to Rwanda.

Upon assuming office, Britain’s new prime minister, Keir Starmer, decided to abandon the plan that was initiated by the previous Conservative Party government to deter unauthorized migrants from entering Britain via unsafe boat crossings.

Rwanda’s deputy government spokesman, Alain Mukuralinda, emphasized that the agreement with Britain did not contain a reimbursement clause. In a video shared on social media by the Rwanda Broadcasting Agency, he stated, “The British decided to request cooperation for a long time, resulting in an agreement between the two countries that became a treaty. Now, if you come and ask for cooperation and then withdraw, that’s your decision.”

He concluded by saying, “Good luck.”