Rwanda wants $63.5 million back from Britain after their refugee deal fell apart. The African nation told reporters Tuesday that it expects payment for the broken agreement. British officials had asked Rwanda to forget about the money based on trust between the countries. The relationship soured when new UK leadership took over last summer.
Former British boss Boris Johnson started this plan in April 2022. His government signed papers promising to ship illegal immigrants from the UK to Rwanda for five years. Not a single flight ever happened because European judges stopped the first one in June 2022. British courts later ruled Rwanda might treat refugees badly, making the entire plan illegal.
Keir Starmer became British leader in July 2024 and immediately trashed the program. His team member Yvette Cooper said UK taxpayers wasted $700 million on the failed scheme. Starmer called it "dead and buried" and claimed it never scared away illegal immigrants as planned. He figured less than one percent of boat arrivals would ever leave British shores under the plan.
Rwanda spokesperson Yolande Makolo wrote online Monday about the lost trust between nations. She claimed Britain hurt their relationship through "unjustified punitive measures" against Rwanda. The UK recently stopped sending aid money to Rwanda because they believe the country helps rebel fighters called M23 in nearby Congo. Rwanda says these accusations are false. British money watchdogs report the deal required the UK to pay $63.5 million both this April and next year.
Former British boss Boris Johnson started this plan in April 2022. His government signed papers promising to ship illegal immigrants from the UK to Rwanda for five years. Not a single flight ever happened because European judges stopped the first one in June 2022. British courts later ruled Rwanda might treat refugees badly, making the entire plan illegal.
Keir Starmer became British leader in July 2024 and immediately trashed the program. His team member Yvette Cooper said UK taxpayers wasted $700 million on the failed scheme. Starmer called it "dead and buried" and claimed it never scared away illegal immigrants as planned. He figured less than one percent of boat arrivals would ever leave British shores under the plan.
Rwanda spokesperson Yolande Makolo wrote online Monday about the lost trust between nations. She claimed Britain hurt their relationship through "unjustified punitive measures" against Rwanda. The UK recently stopped sending aid money to Rwanda because they believe the country helps rebel fighters called M23 in nearby Congo. Rwanda says these accusations are false. British money watchdogs report the deal required the UK to pay $63.5 million both this April and next year.
