Rwanda has commenced arbitration proceedings against the United Kingdom to recover $68.9 million tied to a defunct 2022 asylum agreement, according to a statement from Kigali on January 28, 2026. The deal, terminated by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in July 2024, had previously drawn international scrutiny for its plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda.
Michael Butera, Chief Technical Advisor to Rwanda’s Minister of Justice, emphasized that diplomatic negotiations were exhausted before legal action. "The UK’s refusal to honor financial commitments left Rwanda with no alternative," he stated. The UK government countered, vowing to "robustly defend" taxpayer interests.
The dispute coincides with broader tensions, including Britain’s suspension of aid over Rwanda’s alleged support for the M23 offensive in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The asylum agreement itself was declared illegal by the UK Supreme Court in November 2023, underscoring persistent challenges in post-Brexit migration policy.
Analysts note the case highlights growing complexities in balancing international legal obligations with domestic political priorities, particularly as global migration pressures intensify.
