UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced that the long-awaited UK-Rwanda migration deal will commence within a period of 10 to 12 weeks.
Speaking at a press conference, Sunak revealed that preparations are underway for the first flight of illegal migrants from the UK to Rwanda, following the signing of the agreement last December in Kigali.
The deal, aimed at reviving the Migration and Economic Development Partnership (MEDP), seeks to address the issue of illegal migration by relocating individuals who arrive in the UK via small boats to Rwanda, where they can claim asylum.
“I can confirm that we have put an airfield on standby, booked commercial charter planes for specific slots and we have 500 highly trained individuals ready to escort illegal migrants all the way to Rwanda with 300 more trained in the coming weeks,” Sunak said in a press conference on Monday, April 22.
Expressing the complexity of the operation, Sunak emphasized the UK’s readiness to implement the deal and highlighted its potential to deter dangerous journeys undertaken by migrants.
He commended Rwanda for its proactive approach in strengthening its asylum system and legislative framework, while also outlining measures such as an independent audit committee and an appeal institution to ensure fairness in the process.
Despite acknowledging delays in the timeline, Sunak reaffirmed the government’s commitment to delivering the deal, labeling it as a “genuine game changer” in addressing the migration crisis.
