UK and Rwanda Strengthen Partnership to Tackle Global Migration Crisis
The UK Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, has praised the strengthened partnership with Rwanda as both countries pledge to intensify their efforts in addressing the challenges posed by global migration. Under the Migration and Economic Development Partnership, individuals who undertake perilous, unnecessary, and illegal journeys to the UK, such as those by small boat, will be relocated to Rwanda. There, they will be assisted to rebuild their lives.
Braverman recently traveled to Kigali for official engagements with Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Rwandan Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Dr Vincent Biruta. She emphasized the importance of delivering the partnership, particularly in light of the global migration crisis that has left millions displaced and provided lucrative opportunities for people smugglers.
The Home Secretary and Dr Biruta reiterated their commitment to working on bold and innovative migration policies aimed at balancing legal and uncontrolled migration. Rwanda’s government reiterated its readiness to receive thousands of eligible individuals, process their claims, and provide housing, health, and education support services.
The partnership has been expanded to include all categories of people who pass through safe countries and undertake illegal and dangerous journeys to the UK. This will prepare the UK to implement measures proposed in the Illegal Migration Bill, which will require people who come to the UK illegally to be detained and returned to their home countries or safe third countries, such as Rwanda.
The partnership is uncapped, and Rwanda’s government has confirmed its readiness to receive thousands of eligible individuals. The UK government secured a significant victory in December when the High Court upheld the legality of the partnership.
Speaking on the strengthened partnership, Braverman expressed her pleasure in intensifying the agreement with the Rwandan government to tackle the global migration crisis. She underscored the significance of the Migration and Economic Development Partnership in dismantling the business model of people smugglers while helping those who genuinely need protection to rebuild their lives.
Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vincent Biruta, also expressed satisfaction in renewing their commitment to the groundbreaking partnership with the UK. He noted that the partnership addressed the opportunity gap at the core of the migration crisis by investing in Rwanda’s capacity to provide migrants with the chance to build new lives in a secure and safe place through accommodation, education, and vocational training.
During her visit, the Home Secretary met with refugees who had received support from the Rwandan government to rebuild their lives. She also inspected new housing developments intended to accommodate relocated individuals. Additionally, she met with investment start-ups and entrepreneurs to discuss employment and business opportunities available to people in Rwanda.
The partnership with Rwanda is just one aspect of the UK government’s work in tackling illegal migration. Recently, the Prime Minister agreed on a package with France, which will include a new detention center in France, an increase in French personnel, and enhanced technology to patrol beaches.
