UK Termination of Rwanda Migration Pact Sparks Arbitration

Mugisha R. John — 2026-01-28T12:18:20Z

Rwanda has launched arbitration proceedings against the United Kingdom after London formally terminated the Migration and Economic Development Partnership, known as MEDP, Kigali's government announced Tuesday.

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.

Rwanda Nears Full Compliance on Human Rights Commitments

Mugisha John — 2025-10-01T11:05:34Z

Rwanda has achieved nearly 97% of its human rights commitments over the past four years, the Ministry of Justice said Tuesday, surpassing previous review periods.

The announcement came at a two-day meeting in Kigali presenting the country's report on compliance with United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) recommendations. Government officials and civil society representatives attended.

Rwanda joined the UN's Universal Periodic Review process in 2011 and has submitted three reports. In the last review in 2020, the country fulfilled 95% of its accepted recommendations.

Justice Minister Emmanuel Ugirashebuja said the government made significant strides in education, healthcare, disability support, elderly welfare, and civil society regulation.

“Many of our goals have been achieved,” Ugirashebuja said. “We have expanded schools, supported people with disabilities, increased pensions for the elderly, and enacted a law ensuring civil society organizations benefit the public.”

The minister added that the report will be finalized and submitted to the UN on Jan. 21, 2026, after incorporating feedback from the meeting.

Rwanda committed to implementing 160 of 260 recommendations received in 2021. Achievements included improved public services, freedom of expression, and other rights-related initiatives across multiple government sectors.

Kananga Andrews, Executive Director of the Legal Aid Forum, praised the high compliance but noted the need to reduce prison overcrowding and speed up trials involving children.

Michael Ngabirano, Senior Advisor at the UN Human Rights Office in Rwanda, highlighted Rwanda's progress but urged more civic freedom in political expression and a review of some provisions in the new civil society law.

Vision Media

UK Termination of Rwanda Migration Pact Sparks Arbitration

Rwanda Nears Full Compliance on Human Rights Commitments