KIGALI – A long-running dispute between Rwanda and the United Kingdom over a suspended migration partnership is nearing a decisive moment, with a final ruling expected by May 15, 2026.
The case, being handled by the Permanent Court of Arbitration, stems from a 2024 agreement under which the UK planned to relocate some asylum seekers to Rwanda. Court documents show the dispute has unfolded over several months.
Kigali argues that London failed to meet financial obligations worth millions of pounds and withdrew from the deal without following agreed legal procedures for termination.
Rwanda filed its claim on November 24, 2025, with the UK submitting its response on December 12. Proceedings formally began in January 2026, followed by exchanges of written submissions and a pre-hearing conference where both sides presented evidence and identified witnesses.
Oral hearings were held from March 18 to 20 at the Peace Palace, bringing together legal teams from both countries. Rwanda’s delegation was led by Justice Minister and Attorney General Dr. Emmanuel Ugirashebuja, while the UK team was headed by Dr. Tamsin Stubbing of the Home Office.
During the hearings, Rwanda underscored its experience in hosting refugees, noting that it currently accommodates more than 130,000 refugees and asylum seekers. Officials argued that this track record informed its partnership with the UK, which was designed to support migrants arriving irregularly in Britain.
Kigali further maintains that the UK not only halted the agreement unilaterally, but also failed to honor specific financial commitments, including £50 million payments scheduled for April 2025 and April 2026 under the Economic Transformation and Integration Fund.
The UK, however, contends that subsequent discussions in late 2024 resulted in a revised understanding under which those payments were waived.
Beyond financial compensation, Rwanda is seeking acknowledgment of a breach of obligations and has framed the case as a broader test of the reliability of international agreements, particularly in the face of political transitions.
The tribunal has since moved into deliberations after hearing arguments from both sides. Once issued, the ruling will initially remain confidential, allowing each party time to request redactions of sensitive information before publication.
The arbitration process also provides for post-award steps. Within 10 days of receiving the decision, either side may request clarifications, corrections to minor errors, or even a supplementary ruling if certain claims are deemed unaddressed.
Any approved revisions are typically issued within 30 days. And until the final award is formally released, all related documents will remain restricted, in line with standard international arbitration procedures.
