By JULIUS MBALUTO
A case in which Rwanda sued Britain kicked off yesterday. Rwanda sued Britain at Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in the Hague which was set up in 1899 to settle contractual disputes between nations, after Britain terminated the Migrant Deal between the two countries.
Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson sealed a deal with Rwanda through which Britain would send migrants arriving in the country illegally to Rwanda. This was in 2022 and this deal was later followed by the last Britain's Conservative Prime Minster Richi Sunak.
However, when the British Conservative Party lost last General Election, the incoming Labour's Prime Minister Keir Starmer in 2024, declared the plan “dead and buried” on his first full day in office, thereby terminating it.
Rwanda has sued Britain seeking £100 million compensation. Officials from the two countries fought it out in court. Rwandan Justice Minister Emmanuel Ugirashebuja told the PCA court that Rwanda regretted having to sue Britain to recover "the substantial sums of money which Rwanda has been deprived"
He told the three judge panel that Rwanda had no choice but to vindicate its rights. Rwanda and Britain currently don't see 'eye to eye' after Britain slashed aid to Rwanda, accusing the country of supporting M23 rebels fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
Britain argues that only four people went to Rwanda during two years before the scheme was scrapped. British government website indicate that £290 has been paid to Rwanda but Rwanda submitted during the hearing that two annual payments of £50m were still outstanding.
Rwanda also submitted to the PCA that Britain's termination (of the deal) does not change its obligation to pay any amount that was due.
Rwanda is also claiming additional £6m saying Britain breached a reciprocal agreement to house its most vulnerable refugees fleeing war in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
Rwanda also asked the judges to order Britain to issue a formal apology for breaching the deal. The case continues with British Lawyers responding today and both summing up on Friday.
