Pan African Visions

Rwanda Starts Receiving Immigrants This Wednesday

June 14, 2022

By Jean d’Amour Mbonyinshuti [caption id="attachment_97389" align="alignnone" width="1200"] UK Home Secretary Priti Patel, left, announces the scheme with Rwanda's Minister of Foreign Affairs Vincent Biruta, right, in Kigali, Rwanda on April 14, 2022.Photo courtesy[/caption] Rwanda is set to receive the first group of African migrants and asylum from seekers who got stuck in the United Kingdom after the host country decided to transfer them to Rwanda. The deal, initially for five years, was signed in the Rwandan capital of Kigali Thursday, April 14, 2022. Rwanda was represented by Rwanda’s Foreign Minister Dr. Vincent Biruta and the UK Home Secretary Priti Patel. The partnership was described as a big ‘Migration and Economic Development Partnership” that seeks to address the urgent humanitarian crisis by tackling its roots. Addressing the press on Tuesday, Yolande Makolo, the Rwanda’s Government Spokesperson said all was set for Rwanda to receive the first group of African migrant and asylum seekers tomorrow (Wednesday, 15 June 2022). “All is set and Rwanda is ready to receive migrants and asylum seekers from the UK tomorrow (Wednesday)” she told the press conference in Kigali. “Rwanda wants to play its part to provide a solution to the banning issue and we are happy to be working on the solution,” she added. She said that Rwanda was addressing the illegal migration issues to people who had crossed to UK illegally and were at a risk of dangers including losing their lives. “We are doing it for the right reason,” she said “we have experience and we understand that there are opposition but we are looking for a solution, these are people who were a target of criminal gangs taking advantage to people,” she added. “The deal for Rwanda to welcome and host unauthorized migrant was opposed by some countries but the UK decided it should be realized. Earlier this months, the Home Office, the UK’s department responsible for immigration, security and law and order said a group of asylum seekers has been sent form notice advising them about the relocation process.  According to the government spokesperson, once the migrants and asylum seekers arrive, they will be settled in different accommodation Centres where they will be supported to get all they need from there. “They will be looked after, we will provide support including legal support and decent accommodation with entertainment facilities,” said Makolo She said that for those who will reject the offer to stay in Rwanda, they will be assisted to have access to the third country. “If they choose to leave Rwanda we will assist them to travel to the country of origin or enter the third country,” she said.  The officials cited Rwanda’s strong record of providing safety to people fleeing danger, including nearly 130,000 refugees from mainly neighbors DR Congo and Burundi, as well as Afghanistan and migrants evacuated from Libya.       

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