The Government of Rwanda has accused the United Kingdom of breaching trust and is demanding a £50 million payment related to the now-defunct Migration and Economic Development Partnership.
Rwanda’s government spokesperson, Yolande Makolo, accused the UK of breaking its commitments, stating that Rwanda initially agreed to forgo the £50 million payment under the Migration and MEDP based on mutual trust.
However, she said this trust was undermined by the UK’s recent actions, including suspending aid and making inflammatory remarks in Parliament.
As a result, Rwanda is now demanding the payment, arguing that it is legally owed.
“The UK had asked Rwanda to quietly forego the payment based on the trust and good faith existing between our two nations,” Makolo posted on X on Monday.
The dispute intensified after UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy suspended aid to Rwanda last week, citing alleged Rwandan support for the M23 rebel group in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Rwanda has firmly denied the accusation, accusing the UK of spreading false narratives and undermining regional peace efforts.
The £50 million payment was initially part of the migration deal, which allowed the UK to send asylum seekers to Rwanda.
“However, the UK has breached this trust through the unjustified punitive measures to coerce Rwanda into compromising our national security and by the inflammatory and irresponsible comments made in Parliament by Lord Collins, UK Minister for Africa. We are therefore following up on these funds, to which the UK is legally bound,” she said.
