By The UK government has made an announcement. It will not send further payments to Rwanda. This decision follows the cancellation of the migrant deal between the two countries.
On Monday, Rwanda’s government spokesperson Yolande Makolo said the UK had asked Rwanda to “quietly forgo” the remaining payment. This payment reportedly amounts to £50m ($64m). The demand was based on “trust and good faith”.
But, Rwanda has now asked the UK to pay the rest of the money it says it is owed. Rwanda is accusing the UK of breaching trust by suspending some aid to the country.
In a statement, a UK government spokesperson said, “No further payments concerning this policy will be made.” They also stated that Rwanda has waived any extra payments.
The row over payments began after the UK government announced it would halt bilateral aid to the east African country. This aid is linked to the Rwanda scheme. This announcement was made last month. The only exception is for “support to the poorest and most vulnerable”.
The UK decided to cut aid. They accused the country of supporting M23, a rebel group. This group has captured swathes of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo in a deadly uprising.
The aid cuts are “unjustified punitive measures”. They aim to coerce Rwanda into compromising our national security, Makolo said on Monday.
Rwanda has often denied backing the M23 rebel group. Still, it has recently been more defensive. The country says it has taken measures. These measures are to deal with the “existential threat”. This threat is posed by genocidal militia near its borders.
UN experts have previously estimated that between 3,000 and 4,000 Rwandan troops are in eastern DR Congo.
Makolo said Rwanda would now be “chasing up” on outstanding payments. These payments relate to the migrant deal. The UK was “legally bound” to this deal.
The plan to deport some asylum seekers to Rwanda was devised by the earlier Conservative government in 2022. It cost the UK £240m ($310m). Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer scrapped the plan.
Starmer spoke in July last year, shortly after being elected. He said the plan was “dead and buried.” He argued that the scheme had “never been a deterrent.” It would only deport “less than 1%” of small boat arrivals.
In a statement, a UK government spokesperson said: “The Home Secretary has been clear. The costly Migration and Economic Development Partnership with Rwanda wasted taxpayer money. It should not continue.”
