UK Termination of Rwanda Migration Pact Sparks Arbitration

Rwanda said it filed a notice of arbitration on Nov. 24, 2025, with the Permanent Court of Arbitration, citing breaches of the agreement that was signed in 2024 to relocate asylum seekers from the U.K. to Rwanda.

The agreement required the U.K. to provide £100 million to Rwanda in two payments, and to resettle a portion of vulnerable refugees from Rwanda to the U.K. Rwanda says it met its obligations and had been working to integrate refugees into the economy.

The dispute began after the U.K. government changed in July 2024, when the British prime minister announced the pact had been “permanently terminated,” without first notifying Rwanda, according to Kigali.

Rwanda said the announcement violated the “spirit of cooperation” that had characterized the agreement and said the U.K. later confirmed that no further relocations would take place and that the pact would be officially ended.

Under the agreement, the termination is set to take effect March 16, 2026.

Rwanda said the main issue in arbitration is the £100 million funding pledge, which it says was approved through diplomatic exchanges in June 2024 to support refugee reception and integration. The U.K. asked Rwanda to stop accepting the funds in November 2024 while termination was being considered.

Rwanda said it offered to negotiate a revised agreement but that talks never occurred.

The government alleges three key breaches: failure to honor diplomatic commitments on funding, violation of Article 18 of the pact regarding financial obligations, and failure to establish a mechanism to relocate vulnerable refugees as required by Article 19.

Rwanda said it had no choice but to seek legal resolution after the U.K. refused to address the issues.

“Arbitration provides an orderly and impartial mechanism,” said Michael Butera, principal technical adviser to Rwanda’s justice minister.

Rwanda also reiterated its commitment to international cooperation on migration and refugee issues, saying it would continue to provide safety, dignity and opportunities to refugees and migrants arriving in the country.