These asylum seekers from African countries and others outside the continent will be treated decently like Rwandans upon arrival. It is expected that those willing to return to their mother lands will be helped to do so.
Unlike asylum seekers and refugees from Libya living in Gashora Transit Camp, the ones from UK will be housed in specially-selected accommodation facilities where they will wait for asylum claims to be processed.
Related agreements between both countries are expected to be signed on Thursday 14th April 2022 at Kigali Convention Centre.
During the signing ceremony, Rwanda will be represented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr. Vincent Biruta while UK will be represented by Home Secretary Priti Patel who arrived in Kigali yesterday.
The timeline for when the first batch of migrants could be relocated has not yet been set out.
UK’s Home Office sources indicate that the migrants could be offered some form of visa deal by the Rwandan government, saying people relocated will “be given the opportunity to rebuild their lives” there.
According to media reports, the agreement for “migration and economic development partnership” to be signed is worth 120 million pound (US$158 million)
It said the cost would be funded by UK.
The deportation policy is part of UK’s attempt to deter dangerous – and politically contentious – Channel crossings. Sources said the policy was in reaction to a global asylum system that is “broken”.
It is also said that the Migration and Economic Development Partnership between UK and Rwanda will prioritise the dignity and rights of migrants, empowering them with a range of opportunities for building a better life in Rwanda, as a country which has been consistently ranked as one of the world’s safest.
Under the programme, migrants are also expected to be entitled to full protection under Rwandan law, equal access to employment, and enrolment in healthcare and social care services.
Among others, IGIHE has learnt, the UK’s upfront investment worth £120 million will fund opportunities for Rwandans and migrants including secondary qualifications, vocational and skills training, language lessons, and higher education.
The partnership between both countries reflect Rwanda’s commitments to protecting vulnerable people around the world, and ensuring development and prosperity for Rwanda and its people.
Rwanda’s history has embedded a responsibility to protect vulnerable people around the world. After the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, Rwanda has been an active contributor to peacekeeping missions where it is the largest troop contributor in Africa.
Rwanda was once one of the world’s leading producers of refugees, and as such is particularly concerned with taking urgent steps towards more humane solutions to the global migration crisis.
Rwanda already hosts almost 130,000 refugees from multiple countries including neighbours like the DRC and Burundi.
The country also accommodates other refugees from countries like Afghanistan and evacuees from Libya who have full legal and employment rights.
This partnership to be signed reflects the ongoing effort to create a safe and empowering haven in Rwanda for all those seeking refuge.
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