The UK government has confirmed that no further payments will be made to Rwanda for the now-abandoned migrant deportation scheme, despite Kigali claiming it is still owed money.
A government spokesperson said on Wednesday that the controversial Migration and Economic Development Partnership was a waste of taxpayer money and would not continue.
The UK stated that Rwanda had waived any additional payments as part of diplomatic exchanges.
Rwanda, however, insists that the UK still owes £50 million ($64 million) after already receiving £240 million ($304 million) under the scheme, which was originally introduced by Boris Johnson in 2022.
Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo criticised the UK’s decision, saying London had asked Kigali to quietly forego the payment based on mutual trust but then breached that trust with punitive measures.
After taking office in July 2024, Prime Minister Keir Starmer declared the deportation scheme “dead and buried” before it could be implemented.
The UK has also cut most financial aid to Rwanda over its alleged support for the M23 rebel group in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The dispute over payments adds to growing tensions between the two countries, as Rwanda faces accusations of backing 4,000 fighters in the M23 offensive that recently seized key cities in eastern Congo.
