A diplomatic row has erupted between Rwanda and the United Kingdom as Kigali formally demands £50 million from London following the abrupt cancellation of the controversial migrant deportation scheme.
The Rwandan government had initially agreed to forgo the payment based on “trust and good faith” between the two nations. However, tensions have boiled over after the UK imposed what Rwanda describes as “unjustified punitive measures” and made “inflammatory and irresponsible” comments in Parliament, effectively burning bridges between the two countries.
Yolande Makolo, Rwanda’s Government Spokesperson, confirmed that the demand for the funds was prompted by the UK’s breach of diplomatic trust. “The UK had asked Rwanda to quietly forgo the payment based on the trust and good faith existing between our two nations. However, the UK has breached this trust through the unjustified punitive measures to coerce Rwanda into compromising our national security & by the inflammatory and irresponsible comments made in Parliament by Lord Collins, UK Minister for Africa. We are therefore following up on these funds, to which the UK is legally bound.”
This deal had saved the UK from global embarrassment, shielding it from the harsh glare of international scrutiny over its migration policies. Rwanda willingly stepped into the firing line, becoming a lightning rod for criticism out of goodwill and moral conviction. However, the UK, “has shown its true colours.” “They are immoral and untrustworthy,” says an observer in Kigali. “They wanted Rwanda to carry their water, and now they’re trying to wash their hands of the entire affair.”
The demand comes in the wake of Labour’s recent election victory and its swift decision to scrap the scheme, which was championed by the previous Conservative government as a means to deter illegal migration. Despite UK officials insisting that no further payments are due, Rwanda argues that the UK has failed to formally terminate the contract according to agreed procedures—meaning Britain is still on the hook for the outstanding sum.
Tensions between the two nations have only deepened following the UK’s suspension of aid to Rwanda and its accusations regarding Kigali’s alleged involvement in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) conflict. Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s remarks, coupled with newly imposed restrictions on Rwandan trade and security cooperation, have only added fuel to the fire.
The agreement, signed in 2022, had already cost UK taxpayers £220 million, with three additional payments of £50 million each scheduled for 2024, 2025, and 2026. Rwanda’s demand now seeks to secure the payment initially set for April 2025, which the UK had hoped to sidestep.
While UK officials insist the deal is dead and buried, Rwanda maintains that Britain must honour its commitments, setting the stage for a diplomatic tug-of-war—or possibly a legal showdown.