Rwanda sues UK over scrapped asylum seeker deal

Al JazeeraCenterEN 2 min read 100% complete by Mariamne EverettJanuary 27, 2026 at 11:20 PM

AI Summary

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In January 2026, Rwanda initiated legal action against the United Kingdom through the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, seeking £50 million in compensation. The dispute stems from the UK's refusal to disburse payments under a scrapped agreement where Rwanda would receive deported asylum seekers. The controversial deal, brokered in 2022, was intended to deter illegal immigration to the UK. However, only four volunteers arrived in Rwanda before Prime Minister Keir Starmer terminated the agreement in July 2024. Rwanda claims the UK failed to formally terminate the agreement and pursued legal action after diplomatic efforts failed. The UK had already paid Rwanda £240 million before the deal was abandoned.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

The Telegraph 30% AFP 30% Boris Johnson 40% Michael Butera 50% Keir Starmer 60% Permanent Court of Arbitration 60% Rwanda ×790% UK ×590%

Keywords

asylum seeker deal 90% arbitration proceedings 80% uk 70% rwanda 70% payments dispute 60% deported asylum seekers 60% permanent court of arbitration 50% scrapped agreement 50% legal action 50% compensation 40%