Britain, Rwanda in £100m Court Clash Over Migrant Deal

Britain and Rwanda have clashed at an international court over more than £100 million Kigali says London still owes from a scrapped migrant deportation deal.

The dispute is being heard at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, where the case is focused on contractual disagreements between the two nations.

Representing Rwanda, Justice Minister Emmanuel Ugirashebuja said the country regretted taking the matter to court but had no other option after what he described as the United Kingdom’s refusal to honour its financial obligations.

He stated that Rwanda had been deprived of substantial funds under the agreement and accused Britain of failing to comply with the terms of the deal.

According to Britain’s submission, Rwanda had initially agreed to waive future payments tied to the migrant deal but later reversed that position.

The legal proceedings began with Rwanda presenting its arguments, while British representatives are expected to respond subsequently before final submissions from both sides.

The arbitration panel is expected to take several months before delivering a final ruling on the matter.

The dispute stems from a controversial migration agreement under which Britain planned to deport certain asylum seekers to Rwanda for processing.

The policy was later scrapped by the British government, leading to disagreements over outstanding financial commitments under the original arrangement.

The case highlights growing diplomatic and legal tensions between both countries following the collapse of the migrant relocation plan.