Rwanda is demanding that Britain pay $115 million, which it says is outstanding under a refugee resettlement scheme that was meant to relocate certain migrants from the UK to Rwanda. This scheme, initiated by former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in 2022, was intended to deter illegal immigration by allowing the British government to send individuals arriving illegally to Rwanda. However, the context changed dramatically when Prime Minister Keir Starmer of the Labour Party took office in 2024 and promptly scrapped the deal, which had not been communicated to the Rwandan government.

During the proceedings at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, Rwanda's Justice Minister Emmanuel Ugirashebuja outlined the significant investments made by Rwanda in anticipation of the deal. This included the establishment of an asylum appeals chamber and the development of multiple administrative and support structures necessary to manage the influx of migrants. Uganda's claims are centered around the financial and logistical implications of abruptly ending the agreement, pointing to the expenses they incurred in preparation for the scheme.

The British government, on its part, is contesting Rwanda's claims, arguing that the contract should be dismissed. This situation raises questions not only about the specifics of the agreement between the two nations but also about ongoing issues concerning refugee policies and international obligations. The outcome of this arbitration could set a significant precedent for future refugee management agreements and the responsibilities that nations have towards each other when entering such arrangements.