Rwanda has initiated formal arbitration proceedings against the United Kingdom over alleged breaches of the controversial Migration and Economic Development Partnership (MEDP), the Permanent Court of Arbitration has confirmed.
The move follows the collapse of the policy, a flagship initiative of the previous Conservative government, which was formally abandoned by the new Labour administration last year.
The legal dispute centres on specific financial and humanitarian commitments the UK made under the binding treaty, which was signed in 2022 by then-Home Secretary Priti Patel and Rwandan Foreign Minister Dr. Vincent Biruta, and entered into force in April 2024.
At the heart of the arbitration are two key claims:
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Unpaid Financial Support: The UK agreed, via a binding diplomatic exchange in June 2024, to make two scheduled payments of £50 million each, due in April 2025 and 2026, to support refugee hosting and integration. Rwanda states these payments have not been made.
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Unfulfilled Resettlement Scheme: The treaty outlined a framework for the UK to resettle “a portion of the most vulnerable refugees” hosted by Rwanda. This reciprocal arrangement was never finalised or implemented.
Rwandan officials assert that the UK’s public announcements terminating the partnership last year failed to follow the treaty’s own termination provisions. They argue that under international law, the cancellation does not absolve the UK of financial obligations that accrued while the treaty was active.
Michael Butera, Chief Technical Advisor to Rwanda’s Minister of Justice, stated: “Rwanda attempted at first to clarify positions and explore possible paths forward… As these discussions did not result in a shared understanding, we exercised the dispute-resolution option expressly provided in the treaty.”
He emphasised that the move reflects a principle of upholding international agreements: “The expectation that agreed obligations will be respected is central to maintaining trust and predictability in international relations.”
The UK government has previously stated it does not believe it is liable for the future scheduled payments following the policy’s termination. A government spokesperson is expected to respond to the arbitration notice shortly.
The MEDP was originally established at the UK’s request to address irregular migration. Rwanda, which hosts one of Africa’s largest refugee populations, engaged on the basis of linking migration management with long-term economic development.
The arbitration will now proceed through a structured legal process at the Permanent Court of Arbitration, with Rwanda seeking a definitive ruling on both parties’ obligations under the now-defunct deal.
