The UK has contributed £120 million to fund the scheme before even one person has arrived in Africa, Rwanda said in a statement today in response to opponents of its agreement to accept thousands of Channel migrants from Britain.
Senior government official slammed opponents of the plan, calling them unfairly portraying the continent as a “hellhole” and a “poor place to live.”
The assertion was made by Yolande Makolo, a spokesman for Paul Kigame’s administration, who also stated that Rwanda can now only accommodate 200 people.
She said that according to the agreement made in April, which was based on it hiring thousands of employees over a five-year period, it has already received the full initial payment.
After numerous legal objections, the first deportation flight was grounded in June, and a new attempt has not yet been arranged.
Downing Street acknowledged last month that money had been exchanged but declined to specify how much or when, claiming the details were “secret.”
However, Ms. Makolo told reporters today: “When you step back and look at this with a wider lens, people assume they should be living in Europe or better nations because they believe the streets are paved with gold.
“Part of the reason is this narrative that is created by various media that Africa is a hellhole, that it is shown as a terrible place to live, which is incorrect,” the author said.
The next court hearings are scheduled for September and October.
A number of asylum seekers, the Public and Commercial Services union, Care4Calais, Detention Action, and Asylum Aid are contesting the legitimacy of the Home Office policy.
A flight might not be attempted again until the winter due to the continuing legal proceedings.
Some immigrants who received removal orders from Rwanda have already been let go from immigration detention since another flight has not yet been scheduled.
The Commons Home Affairs Committee earlier this week concluded that there is “no evidence” that the policy is serving as a deterrent.
More than a thousand migrants have crossed the Channel since Home Secretary Priti Patel signed the agreement.
Reporters questioned Ms. Makolo about how much money the UK had previously sent, and she responded, “There was an initial transfer of £120 million.
“We have already paid for this and are making preparations with the money.
She noted that Rwanda is still “committed” to the alliance.
A High Court hearing earlier this week revealed that the Foreign Office had recommended the UK Government against transferring asylum seekers to the east African country and that it had been charged with using refugees as recruits for armed conflict.
It is incorrect to accuse us of that kind of behavior, according to Ms. Makolo.
We provide a place where people can feel comfortable and at home.
“We don’t participate in recruiting for any armed movements.”
When refugees get here, they are cared for jointly by us and UNHCR, the UN agency for refugees.
Therefore, that information is false. And since that is untrue, we wish to contest it.
The former UK High Commissioner’s assertions were “based on false information,” she continued.
In order to “correct the record” on the claims made, Ms. Picard stated they had already contacted the UK. She continued, “We want to ensure that the country’s asylum process is understood by the court as being on par with international norms of asylum processing and refugee protection.”
Ms. Makolo expressed “surprise” at the UNHCR’s criticism of the program, noting that they had never explicitly voiced their concerns to the government.
The UNHCR and I have a very strong working relationship, she continued, adding that the UNHCR’s remarks were “based on limited understanding of our asylum process.”