This archive report was first published on 11 August 2019.
Published on August 11, 2019, Rwanda has offered to host hundreds of African immigrants stranded in detention centers in North Africa, as part of emergency efforts by humanitarian agencies and the European Union to stop the migration caravan.
According to reports, the Paul Kagame administration is ready to host the migrants, and its officials recently visited Niger, where close to 1,000 immigrants are held in detention centers.
The European Union has been exploring resettlement options and has approached several African countries to host the migrants.
In 2017, Rwanda offered to host 30,000 African immigrants stuck in Libya over the next few years, with the first 500 expected to be received soon.
President Kagame said last year, 'The desperate situation in Libya is disturbing, and we are prepared to provide support and sanctuary for our African brothers who are stuck in the immigration debacle in Libya, and who are willing to move to Rwanda.'
The Financial Times reported that while the details have yet to be finalized, the evacuees are being given the option to stay on in Rwanda or return to their home countries.
Some of the migrants are likely to be from other eastern Africa states such as Ethiopia and Somalia, although many may be unable or unwilling to go back.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees special envoy Vincent Cochetel said, 'We are indeed exploring the Rwandan evacuation option alongside the African Union as we try to find a solution to this.'
Analysts say that catching the eye of the superpowers means a lot for Rwanda, as partnerships with the country may be important for benefits at the continental and regional level.
The invitation by the G7 is seen as a strategic move by Europe to continue actively engaging the African Union on the migrant crisis in an effort to halt and tackle the systemic issues that cause migration.
