Kigali, Rwanda. Rwanda has filed an arbitration case against Britain over the cancellation of an asylum deal by Prime Minister Keir Starmer in 2024, Rwanda’s government said.
Arbitration notice filed in The Hague
Rwanda said it submitted a notice to the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration, arguing Britain had breached the financial arrangements of the “migration partnership,” according to a government statement posted on X on Tuesday.
Background of the migration partnership
Under the scheme, signed before Starmer took office, Britain agreed to pay Rwanda to take in migrants who had arrived illegally in Britain. The plan sent four people voluntarily to Rwanda, while legal challenges stalled wider implementation.
Disputed payments and proposed termination terms
Rwanda said Britain asked it in 2024 to forgo two payments of 50 million pounds ($69 million) due in April 2025 and April 2026 in anticipation of the formal termination of the treaty underpinning the deal. Rwanda said it was prepared to agree, provided the treaty was terminated and new financial terms were negotiated and agreed.
“Discussions between Rwanda and the United Kingdom did not, however, ultimately take place, and the amounts remain due and payable under the treaty,” Rwanda’s government said.
UK response
A spokesperson for Starmer told reporters on Tuesday that the scheme “was a complete disaster” and “wasted 700 million pounds of taxpayer cash to return just four volunteers.” The spokesperson said Britain would “robustly defend our position to protect British taxpayers” and focus on “effective ways to stamp out illegal migration, not costly gimmicks.”
Wider strain in bilateral relations
Relations between Britain and Rwanda worsened last year after London paused some aid over Rwanda’s role in the war in Democratic Republic of Congo. Rwanda has faced global pressure over accusations that it supports the M23 rebel group in eastern Congo.
How do you think the arbitration case could affect future migration cooperation between Rwanda and the United Kingdom?
