Tensions between the UK and Rwanda have escalated after the British government refused to make further payments linked to the now-scrapped migrant relocation deal. Rwanda is demanding the UK pay £50 million ($64 million), accusing Britain of breaching trust by suspending aid and withholding funds.
According to BBC reports, the UK government confirmed on Monday that it would not send any additional payments, insisting that Rwanda had already waived any further claims related to the controversial asylum scheme. However, Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo contradicted this, stating that Rwanda would be ‘following up’ on outstanding payments it says Britain is legally bound to pay.
UK cancels payments after migrant deal collapse
The migrant deportation scheme, initially introduced in 2022 by the Conservative government, aimed to send asylum seekers to Rwanda in an effort to deter illegal migration. However, the plan was scrapped by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who described it as ‘dead and buried’ after taking office in July 2024.
The UK had already spent £240 million ($310 million) on the project before Starmer’s government abandoned it, declaring it a waste of taxpayer money. According to a UK government spokesperson, the decision to end payments aligns with the Home Secretary’s stance that the scheme should no longer continue.
Makolo, however, claimed that the UK had previously asked Rwanda to ‘quietly forgo’ the remaining balance based on ‘trust and good faith’—a request Rwanda now rejects.
Aid cuts and security tensions add to dispute
The financial disagreement comes amid strained relations between the two countries over UK aid policy. Last month, Britain announced it was halting bilateral aid to Rwanda, except for humanitarian support, citing concerns over Rwanda’s alleged backing of M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The UK’s move followed accusations that Rwanda has supported M23 rebels, a group that has captured significant territory in eastern DRC through violent conflict. UN experts estimate that 3,000 to 4,000 Rwandan troops are operating in the region, claims Rwanda strongly denies.
Makolo condemned the UK’s aid suspension as ‘unjustified punitive measures,’ suggesting that Britain was trying to pressure Rwanda into compromising its national security.
What happens next?
With Rwanda now insisting on the £50 million payment, the dispute highlights the fragility of UK-Rwanda relations following the collapse of the migrant deal. If the UK refuses to pay, Rwanda could seek diplomatic or legal action to claim the funds.
For Britain, the issue also raises broader concerns over its handling of migration policies and foreign aid commitments—especially as it seeks to manage border control while maintaining key partnerships in Africa. (Africabriefing)
