Rwandan official asserts no obligation to refund British government
Kigali, Rwanda – Dr. Doris Uwicyeza Picard, a Rwandan official, announced on Wednesday that Rwanda holds “no obligation” to refund the funds paid by the British government. This statement comes in the wake of the new British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, scrapping the agreement between the UK and Rwanda, calling it “unworkable.”
Despite the deal’s cancellation, Picard emphasized that Rwanda remains open to discussions with British officials regarding the next steps.
In January, Rwandan President Paul Kagame, who is campaigning for a fourth term, suggested the possibility of reimbursing Britain if no asylum seekers arrived under the agreement. “If they do not come, we can return the money,” Kagame told BBC News.
The agreement stipulated that termination could occur through written notice from either party. While it remains unclear if Britain formally issued such a notice, Prime Minister Starmer’s decision has effectively ended the program.
Rwandan officials assert that the money received from Britain has been utilized for operational costs in preparation for migrant arrivals and to support economic development initiatives.
