President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and United Kingdom’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak met in London on April 9 to discuss the progress of their Migration and Economic Development Partnership.
Among the discussions there’s the precise timing for sending the refugees to Rwanda.
The UK Parliament will debate the legislation on the 15th of this month, as the first flights bringing refugees are expected to arrive in Rwanda this spring.
Recently, the Rwandan Senate approved a migration agreement between Rwanda and the UK. This agreement aims to protect refugees and migrants from the UK and shows the commitment of both nations to strengthening their partnership.
The treaty, signed on December 5, 2023, by Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Vincent Biruta, and UK Home Secretary, James Cleverly, highlights ongoing efforts to improve collaboration and address migration challenges effectively.
According to BBC, The UK government had paid £240m to Rwanda by the end of 2023.
However, the total payment will be at least £370m over five years, according to the National Audit Office (NAO).
If more than 300 people are sent to Rwanda, the UK would pay a one-off sum of £120m to help boost the country’s economy, with further payments of £20,000 per individual relocated.
On top of that, up to £150,000 will be paid for each person sent there, the NAO report said.
These figures would not include the cost of payments to anyone to who chooses to go to Rwanda voluntarily.
Previously released official figures suggested that removing each individual to a third country would cost £63,000 more than keeping them in the UK.
