This clarification comes after British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, elected in July 2024, canceled the agreement initially signed in April 2022.
The decision was made on the grounds that the deal would not effectively prevent illegal migrants from entering the UK.
In response, the Rwandan government expressed its continued willingness to contribute to addressing the migrant crisis and emphasized that it had no involvement in the termination of the deal.
The agreement's cancellation sparked speculation over whether Rwanda would need to return the £270 million provided by the UK for the implementation of the asylum scheme.
However, Rwanda's Deputy Government Spokesperson, Alain Mukuralinda, said that a refund was not stipulated in the agreement.
During a press briefing on October 2, 2024, High Commissioner Thorpe addressed these concerns directly, stating, "As far as I'm aware, there is no intention to ask Rwanda for any of the money back."
When asked whether the UK might reconsider and reinstate the partnership, she indicated that this was unlikely in the near future, as the UK has introduced new strategies to tackle illegal migration.
These include enhanced border security measures aimed at preventing small boat crossings.
The diplomat also explained that, following Prime Minister Starmer's decision to cancel the deal, the UK Parliament is expected to approve the formal termination.
Once approved, the UK government will notify Rwanda of its decision to officially withdraw from the agreement.
Despite the migration deal's cancellation, High Commissioner Thorpe emphasized that the broader UK-Rwanda relationship remains strong.
"The new government in the UK has ended the migration partnership with Rwanda, but that absolutely doesn't mean they've ended the relationship with Rwanda," she assured.
High Commissioner Thorpe added, "In fact, the relationship has always been far broader than just migration. The new government is very keen to continue a strong relationship with Rwanda."
The diplomat further pointed to the visit of the UK's new Minister for Africa, Lord Collins, to Rwanda in early September 2024 as a testament to the enduring ties between the two nations.
She explained that it was intended to underscore the UK government's commitment to strengthening ties with Rwanda in the coming years.
Thorpe also highlighted the UK's desire to continue collaborating with Rwanda on key issues such as promoting trade, economic growth, and tackling climate change.
Théophile Niyitegeka
