Rwanda and the United Kingdom on Thursday struck a migration accord that would see asylum seekers who arrive unlawfully in the UK on small boats, across the English Channel, granted a one-way ticket to Kigali to wait out their claims.
UK’s Home Secretary Priti Patel, who is in Kigali, signed the “Rwanda-UK Migration and Economic Development Partnership” with Rwanda’s Foreign Affairs Minister Vincent Biruta.
Under the project that comprises a UK supporting financing, the UK will invest in Rwanda’s economic growth with €120 million ($157 million) to meet the requirements of the asylum seekers, however opponents argue the cost of the programme would be far higher.
Rwandan authorities believe migrants would be entitled to full protection under Rwandan law, equal access to work, and enrollment in healthcare and social care facilities as well as issuing of essential identity cards.
The pact comes as the UK strives to control an expanding number of unlawful immigrants.
In 2021, the known number of people who crossed the English Channel in small boats grew to 28,526 people, from 8,404 in 2020.
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