In The Hague, Netherlands, hearings have begun in a case where Rwanda has sued the United Kingdom over failure to honor agreements between the two countries. Rwanda’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Dr. Emmanuel Ugirashebuja, opened by presenting the reasons behind Rwanda’s complaint.
The case is being heard by the Permanent Court of Arbitration and is expected to last three days.
While addressing the court, Dr. Ugirashebuja reflected on Rwanda’s history, which influenced its decision to cooperate with the United Kingdom in addressing issues related to refugees and migration.
He stated that many Rwandans have experienced displacement, which shaped the government’s policy on supporting migrants and asylum seekers.
He also emphasized that Rwanda is proud to host many refugees and asylum seekers and is known for welcoming people from various countries, including neighboring nations like the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi, as well as others from farther regions such as Afghanistan, Libya, and Sudan.
As an example, he noted that last month Rwanda received over 160 asylum seekers from Libya, adding to many others already hosted, some of whom have since been resettled in other countries.
Why Rwanda sued the United Kingdom
Dr. Ugirashebuja explained that when the United Kingdom began seeking partner countries to address migration challenges, Rwanda was its first choice.
Both countries entered into an agreement known as the Migration and Economic Development Partnership (MEDP). This agreement had two main goals: reducing the risks faced by migrants, especially those who lose their lives at sea, and addressing global economic inequalities that push people to leave their home countries.
The agreement was also based on Rwanda’s strong reputation for effectively hosting and supporting refugees and asylum seekers from around the world.
Under this partnership, Rwanda aimed to support the UK’s migration policy, while the UK committed to assisting Rwanda in managing and integrating migrants and asylum seekers.
Dr. Ugirashebuja said that after the agreement was announced in April 2022, Rwanda immediately began implementing its commitments, including making legal reforms to support the agreement.
Rwanda enacted new laws, established an appeals body for asylum seekers, and created at least 12 ministerial-level institutions to oversee the implementation of the MEDP.
He added that Rwanda “prepared reception facilities for the incoming refugees and incurred significant costs in doing so.”
As part of the partnership, the agreement also included a fund called the Economic Transformation and Integration Fund (ETIF), intended to help migrants integrate into Rwanda’s economy and society.
Additionally, the agreement aimed to improve the living conditions of refugees already residing in Rwanda.
The agreement was later updated in June 2024, confirming that the United Kingdom would contribute £50 million to the ETIF in April 2025 and another £50 million in April 2026.
However, Dr. Ugirashebuja stated that shortly after financial terms were agreed upon in 2024, there was a change in the UK government. The new Prime Minister declared on his first day in office that “the Rwanda scheme is dead and buried.”
He said this decision was made without prior notice to Rwanda, which instead learned about it through the media. The UK did not formally notify Rwanda of the termination until December 2025 and the termination took effect two days ago (which was this Monday).
The Attorney General added that the UK deliberately avoided dialogue and failed to follow agreed procedures.
He stressed that the UK’s obligations were clear, including financial contributions not only for migrants to be relocated but also to support existing refugees and asylum seekers in Rwanda, as outlined in the agreement.
He further explained that in March 2025, Rwanda urgently invited the joint committee of both parties to review final preparations for the relocation process, but the UK failed to fulfill its responsibilities.
RADIOTV10
