Rwandan President Paul Kagame held discussions with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at 10 Downing Street on Tuesday, April 9th, amidst ongoing tensions surrounding the UK government’s proposal to relocate asylum-seekers to Rwanda. The meeting took place against the backdrop of the UK’s stalled initiative to send certain asylum-seekers on a one-way journey to Rwanda, coupled with reports in the British media indicating complications with housing arrangements outlined for the scheme in Kigali.
Nearly two years ago, Britain and Rwanda inked a deal aimed at relocating migrants who traverse the English Channel in small boats to the East African nation, where they would be settled permanently. However, the agreement has encountered numerous legal hurdles and faced significant opposition in the British Parliament, leading to a protracted legal and legislative battle.
The meeting between President Kagame and Prime Minister Sunak underscores the ongoing diplomatic efforts to address the impasse surrounding the asylum-seeker relocation plan. As both parties seek to navigate through the complexities of the situation, the discussions are expected to focus on finding viable solutions that balance humanitarian considerations with legal and logistical challenges.