The Rwandan government has declined to confirm how many migrants it can accept from the UK if deportation flights commence.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has proposed sending migrants who arrive in the UK without permission to Rwanda instead of allowing them to claim asylum there. About 52,000 individuals have entered the UK since the law changed in 2023 and are awaiting deportation.
Rwanda has entered a five-year agreement with the UK, with costs already exceeding £300 million. Last month, the Prime Minister’s plan to transfer asylum seekers to Rwanda was approved by Parliament.
Mr. Sunak announced on April 22 that the first deportation flight to Rwanda would leave in 10 to 12 weeks. The government initially aimed to start flights in the spring and plans to have multiple flights per month throughout the summer and beyond.
Despite the UK Home Office indicating 52,000 asylum seekers could potentially be relocated to Rwanda, Rwanda’s government spokesperson, Yolande Maloko, could not specify how many could be accommodated in the first or second year.
When pressed for a commitment to a specific number, she stated Rwanda is ready but did not guarantee accommodation for all 52,000 individuals, only mentioning “thousands.”
Ministers hope the possibility of being sent to Rwanda will discourage attempts to reach the UK.
However, Ms. Maloko emphasized that living in Rwanda is not a punishment and highlighted its beauty, including the weather.
