President Paul Kagame of Rwanda has committed to returning the £240 million paid by the UK government if no asylum seekers are sent to Rwanda under the existing deal.
The UK government has already disbursed £240 million, with an additional £50 million anticipated in the 2024-25 financial year, yet no asylum seekers have been relocated to Rwanda.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, President Kagame stated, “It’s only going to be used if those people will come.” He added, “If they don’t come, we can return the money,” without specifying the amount or timeline for the potential return.
When questioned about the current political and legal challenges surrounding the agreement, Kagame deflected responsibility, asserting that it is “not Rwanda’s problem.” Instead, he directed the inquiry to the UK, stating, “Ask the UK – it is the UK’s problem, not Rwanda’s problem.”