Rwanda has taken legal action against the United Kingdom, demanding up to Ksh8 billion in compensation after the UK allegedly abandoned a controversial migration agreement.
The deal would have allowed some asylum seekers in the UK to be relocated to Kigali for processing. Initially, Kenya was approached for a similar arrangement but rejected it due to regional security risks.
Rwanda claims the UK failed to honor its financial obligations, prompting President Paul Kagame’s government to lodge a case at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague.
The legal battle highlights growing tensions between African nations and Western countries over migration policies and financial commitments. If Rwanda succeeds, it could set a precedent for other African nations in negotiating future migration agreements.
Rwanda UK Migrants Deal Sparks Ksh8 Billion Dispute
The Rwanda-UK migrants deal was first agreed upon in 2022 as part of the UK’s strategy to curb unauthorized migration. Under the agreement, Rwanda would host certain asylum seekers while their claims were processed, in return for financial support from the UK.
Rwanda has now accused the UK of failing to meet its financial obligations under the deal. According to Kigali, the British government paid some funds initially but later scrapped the program in 2024 under Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Rwanda says this move caused significant financial losses and has taken the dispute to the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague.
Officials in London have defended the UK’s stance, claiming the arrangement was ineffective and did not serve British interests. The UK also described earlier payments as wasted funds and warned of further financial losses had the deal continued.
Kenya’s Rejection Paved Way for Rwanda
Before Rwanda agreed to the migration partnership, the UK had approached several African countries, including Kenya, with a similar proposal. Sources familiar with the discussions revealed that Kenya rejected the offer due to existing regional security challenges. Unrest in neighboring Somalia and South Sudan posed potential risks, making Kenya hesitant to participate in a deal involving the relocation of asylum seekers.
Rwanda, by contrast, accepted the agreement, formalizing the Migration and Economic Development Partnership with the UK. The Ksh8 billion lawsuit now highlights the risks African countries face when entering international agreements with Western nations and the potential for legal recourse if terms are breached.
Implications for African Nations
The Rwanda-UK migrants deal lawsuit could reshape how African nations engage with Western countries on migration issues. If Rwanda wins, it may encourage other countries to demand stronger financial guarantees and legal protections in similar agreements.
Experts say the case also exposes the financial and diplomatic risks of migration deals. With Kenya previously declining a similar offer, the dispute raises questions about the incentives and protections offered to African nations in such arrangements. The outcome could influence future negotiations on migration and asylum policies across the continent.
Rwanda’s legal action underscores a new phase in African-Western relations, where financial accountability and strategic interests take center stage. The Ksh8 billion case will be closely watched in The Hague, with implications not just for Rwanda and the UK but for the wider region, including countries like Kenya that previously rejected similar deals.
