Rwanda could become a processing centre for several Northern and Western European countries currently under internal pressure to curb illegal immigration.

This week, a UK court validated plans by the UK government to resettle migrants in Rwanda despite outrage over the plan by human rights activists who dragged the government to court, claiming its migration partnership with Rwanda signed in April this year is illegal and violates human rights. 

Reading the summary of the ruling, Lord Justice Lewis said: “ The court has concluded that it is lawful for the government to make arrangements for relocating asylum seekers to Rwanda and for their asylum claims to be determined in Rwanda rather than in the United Kingdom.”

However, he ordered the UK Home Office to reconsider cases of eight individuals who were due to be deported on the first flight which had been scheduled in June.

While an appeal by individual asylum seekers, activists, and migrant NGOs is expected to be lodged on January 16, the UK government says it is "ready to defend against any further legal challenges".

UK opposition MPs have criticised the plan and challenged the cost of the scheme, saying it is too costly. The UK already made £120m ($144.8m) upfront payment to Rwanda. In October 2022, London-based The Times reported that an extra £20m ($24.1m) had been paid, bringing the total cost to £140m ($168.9m). By BERNA NAMATA, The East African