Rwanda Seeks Judicial Redress at The Hague as Arbitration Opens Over UK Migration Deal Breach

Rwanda’s Justice Minister makes his case at The Hague, demanding the UK honor £100m in migration deal commitments and alleging a breach of trust.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 18, 2026, 9:26 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from The New Times

Legal Proceedings Commence at The Hague Over Unimplemented Asylum Framework

Arbitration proceedings officially began on Wednesday at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague to resolve a deepening diplomatic and financial dispute between Rwanda and the United Kingdom. Minister of Justice and Attorney General Emmanuel Ugirashebuja represented Rwanda, arguing that the UK’s unilateral withdrawal from the Migration and Economic Development Partnership (MEDP) left Kigali with no choice but to seek legal intervention. The hearing focuses on whether the UK is liable for substantial financial commitments made under the treaty before its formal termination in late 2025.

The Financial Stakes of the 2024 Economic Transformation Agreement

Central to Rwanda’s claim is the Economic Transformation and Integration Fund (ETIF), a mechanism established to support both host communities and refugees. Under a binding diplomatic exchange in June 2024, the UK committed to a payment schedule of £50 million in April 2025 followed by an additional £50 million in April 2026. Minister Ugirashebuja asserted that these funds were legally accrued obligations that remained binding even after the UK’s change in government, as the treaty was not properly terminated until December 2025.

Extensive Structural Reforms and Operational Costs Incurred by Kigali

Rwanda’s legal team highlighted that the country had already fulfilled its side of the partnership through significant constitutional and administrative overhauls. Since the agreement was first announced in April 2022, Rwanda established an appeals tribunal specifically for asylum cases and created 12 new ministerial structures to manage the influx of migrants. Ugirashebuja noted that substantial costs were incurred preparing reception facilities, arguing that Rwanda performed its duties in good faith while the UK eventually demonstrated a lack of willingness to follow through.