President Paul Kagame and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Monday, March 6, discussed the Rwanda-UK migration deal, in a move both leaders described as a way “to ensure this important partnership is delivered successfully.” In a conversation held over a telephone call, the UK government said both leaders also discussed “joint efforts to break the business model of criminal people smugglers and address humanitarian issues.” The development follows a few months after the British government’s high court ruled that the plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda is lawful. In a verdict delivered in December, Lord Justice Lewis said the policy, introduced under former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, was consistent with the refugee convention. However, he said at the time, the home secretary should look at people's particular circumstances before sending them to Rwanda. He urged that the first eight people who were due to be sent to Rwanda had not had their circumstances properly considered by the former UK home secretary Priti Patel, and as a result, their cases will be referred back to the current home secretary, Suella Braverman, for her to consider afresh. Rwanda and the UK inked the “Migration and Economic Development Partnership” in April, 2022, to allow migrants and asylum seekers who are illegally in the UK to be transferred to Rwanda. A first of its kind in the world, the deal seeks to promote “the dignity and empowerment of migrants”, according to the officials from both countries. The Migration and Economic Development Partnership concerns all the migrants and asylum seekers who arrived in the UK illegally from January 1, 2022. Those who will benefit from the programme will have the option of applying for asylum locally and be facilitated to resettle in Rwanda or to be facilitated to return to their home country, having received support through the programme. ALSO READ: What Rwandans say about UK asylum deal The UK will fund the programme, initially releasing an upfront investment of £120 million, which will fund invaluable opportunities for the migrants and Rwandans as well. This includes “secondary qualifications, vocational and skills training, language lessons, and higher education.” The UK will also support in terms of accommodation prior to local integration and resettlement. According to the deal, they will be entitled to full protection under Rwandan law, equal access to employment, and enrollment in healthcare and social care services. Meanwhile, according to a statement from the British government, Kagame and Sunak also discussed the “concerning escalation” of violence in the DR Congo as well as international efforts to support a lasting peaceful resolution.
