Rwanda receives 1st voluntary asylum seeker from UK

By James Tasamba

KIGALI, Rwanda (AA) - Rwanda has received the first asylum seeker from Britain under a voluntary scheme, an official said on Wednesday.

Alain Mukuralinda, Rwanda’s government deputy spokesperson, said the unnamed migrant was sent to Rwanda on Monday after he failed to get asylum in the UK.

Without divulging details, Mukuralinda said in the coming days, the asylum seeker will be asked whether he would wish to stay in Rwanda or another third country.

The voluntary scheme is different from the migration deal that Britain signed with Kigali which seeks to deter asylum seekers from crossing the English Channel in small boats to live in the UK.

Under the voluntary scheme, the British government promised to pay asylum seekers up to 3,000 pounds ($3,747.60) each to move to Rwanda to help address the migrant issue.

Apparently, under the plan, people will get the money if they agree to live in Rwanda.

Britain struck a controversial migration deal with Rwanda in April 2022 that would facilitate sending some migrants who arrive in the UK across the English Channel to the East African country, where their asylum claims would be processed.

British lawmakers have passed the Safety of Rwanda Bill, paving the way for it to become law amid growing concern.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said he is hoping the first flights to take off in 10 to 12 weeks.

The first asylum seekers to be deported from Britain to Rwanda would come from a group of 5,700 people that Kigali has agreed in principle to take, according to British media.