UK Wins Hague Dispute over Rwanda Asylum Scheme Payments
The United Kingdom has won a legal dispute with Rwanda over compensation linked to the scrapped asylum relocation scheme, with an international tribunal ruling that London does not owe Kigali more than £100 mln in additional payments.
The ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague rejected all financial claims brought by Rwanda, which argued that Britain was still required to make payments promised under the migration partnership agreement despite the scheme’s cancellation.
The asylum plan, introduced by the previous Conservative government, aimed to send migrants arriving illegally in the UK to Rwanda for processing. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer abandoned the policy shortly after taking office in 2024, describing it as ineffective and costly.
Rwanda sought two outstanding annual payments worth £50 mln each, as well as compensation, arguing that it had incurred significant costs preparing for the arrangement. However, the tribunal found that Rwanda had agreed in diplomatic exchanges in late 2024 to forgo the future payments due in 2025 and 2026.
According to the UK government, around £700 mln was spent on the scheme before it was scrapped, while only four people voluntarily relocated to Rwanda. Officials welcomed the ruling, calling it a complete legal victory for Britain.
The dispute added to tensions between London and Kigali, which have already been strained by disagreements over Rwanda’s alleged involvement in the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Rwanda has denied those allegations.
