Rwandan President Paul Kagame is demanding a $63.62 million payment from the United Kingdom following the abrupt cancellation of a controversial asylum deal.
A source close to the government in Kigali confirmed that Rwanda expects the payment as compensation for investments made in preparation for the now-terminated agreement.
The deal, initially signed in 2022, aimed to relocate asylum seekers from the UK to Rwanda as part of London’s immigration policy.
However, it faced legal challenges and widespread criticism from human rights groups, leading to its eventual suspension.
The UK government recently announced a pause in some bilateral aid to Rwanda due to concerns over Kigali’s involvement in the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Kagame’s government argues that it had already committed substantial resources to accommodate the asylum seekers and insists that the UK must honor its financial obligations despite terminating the agreement.
“Rwanda upheld its part of the deal and made the necessary preparations. The UK must now fulfill its end,” a senior Rwandan official stated.
The demand has sparked fresh tensions between the two nations. While British officials have not publicly responded to Rwanda’s financial claims, the UK government’s decision to freeze aid funding has added another layer of complexity to the diplomatic standoff.
Observers believe London’s move is a direct response to allegations that Rwanda has been supporting M23 rebels in the DRC, a charge Kigali has repeatedly denied.