By Senior Editor, China Africa News
Kigali, March 18, 2026 —Rwanda has defended its controversial migration partnership with the United Kingdom in a formal arbitration hearing, presenting itself as a committed and experienced host of refugees while accusing the UK of failing to honour binding legal obligations.
In opening remarks before the tribunal in Rwanda v United Kingdom (PCA Case No. 45-2025), Rwanda’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General set out the country’s longstanding humanitarian credentials and framed the dispute as a matter of legal accountability rather than political disagreement.
“Rwanda has a deep connection to the plight of those seeking safety and security in a new land,” the Agent told the tribunal, emphasizing that the country’s migration policies are shaped by its own history of displacement. The statement highlighted Rwanda’s role as a host to more than 130,000 refugees and asylum seekers registered with the UN refugee agency, as well as its recent efforts to receive evacuees and vulnerable groups from conflict-affected regions such as Libya, Afghanistan, and Sudan.
At the heart of the dispute is the Migration and Economic Development Partnership (MEDP), a bilateral agreement launched in April 2022. The deal aimed to deter irregular migration to the UK while supporting Rwanda’s capacity to host and integrate migrants through economic development funding.
Rwanda told the tribunal that it acted swiftly to implement the agreement, undertaking legal reforms, establishing asylum appeal mechanisms, and investing in reception infrastructure. It also pointed to the creation of the Economic Transformation and Integration Fund (ETIF), under which the UK committed to provide £100 million in staged payments.
However, tensions escalated following a change of government in the UK in 2024. According to Rwanda’s submission, the new administration abandoned the policy without prior notice and subsequently failed to meet its financial and operational obligations under the agreement.
“The United Kingdom then sought to walk away from its legal obligations,” Rwanda argued, asserting that the treaty remained in force well beyond the political transition and that commitments made under international law must be respected regardless of domestic policy shifts.
The Rwandan side further accused the UK of failing to cooperate on provisions related to refugee resettlement, describing its conduct as a clear refusal to engage. Kigali is now seeking compensation for unpaid funds or, alternatively, a formal apology.
Despite the dispute, Rwanda struck a measured tone, expressing regret that arbitration had become necessary while reaffirming its broader commitment to addressing global migration challenges.
The case is being closely watched as it raises significant questions about the durability of international agreements amid political change, as well as the responsibilities of states in managing migration through bilateral partnerships.
