UK ready to give Rwanda $19mn to seal new small boats treaty: Report
Dec 04, 2023
London [UK], December 4: Rwanda is to be given at least £15mn ($19mn) extra to sign a treaty with the UK to take migrants who arrive in Britain via small boats, it has been reported.
British newspaper Sunday Times said the money would be on top of the £140mn already given to Kigali as part of arrangements for the east African country to accept asylum seekers arriving in the UK after undertaking the perilous journey across the English Channel.
Downing Street insiders did not rule out the prospect of Rwanda being given more money as part of a treaty deal, telling PA news agency that any potential cash boost would be to cover additional costs associated with addressing the concerns raised by the Supreme Court when it ruled the plan was unlawful.
Arrangements are understood to be in place for Home Secretary James Cleverly to fly out to Rwanda to ratify a new treaty.
The Cabinet minister could travel out as soon as Monday, with emergency legislation also potentially to be tabled this week, according to The Sunday Times. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak met Rwanda's President Paul Kagame on the sidelines of the Cop28 climate talks in Dubai on Friday.
Source: Qatar Tribune
