Rwanda has agreed to accept up to 250 deportees from the United States as part of an initiative to relocate migrants who have no ties to the countries they are sent to. This decision marks Rwanda as the third African nation to participate in this controversial policy under the Trump administration, aimed at reducing the number of undocumented immigrants in the US.
In a statement to the Associated Press, Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo confirmed the arrangement, emphasizing that the East African nation retains the authority to evaluate each individual proposed for resettlement. While details surrounding the timeline for the arrival of these deportees remain unclear, Makolo indicated that discussions are ongoing.
The US State Department acknowledged its collaboration with Rwanda on various mutual priorities but refrained from providing specific details about the deportation agreement or the diplomatic engagements involved. Recently, the US has sent 13 men, categorized as dangerous criminals who were illegally present in the country, to South Sudan and Eswatini. The US government reported that these individuals’ home countries declined to accept them back, prompting the search for agreements with additional African nations.
In addition to African relocations, the US has deported numerous Venezuelans and migrants to countries including Costa Rica, Panama, and El Salvador under similar policies aimed at expelling individuals who entered the US without authorization. In March 2023, over 200 Venezuelan immigrants were deported to El Salvador, where they were transferred to a facility known as the Terrorism Confinement Centre, notorious for holding alleged gang members. Human rights organizations have reported numerous incidents of deaths and torture within the facility.
Rwanda previously attracted international scrutiny when it forged a deal with the UK in 2022 to accept migrants seeking asylum there. This agreement faced backlash from human rights advocates, leading to its eventual cancellation following the transition to a new Labour government in the UK. In 2023, the UK Supreme Court ruled that the deal was unlawful, citing concerns about Rwanda not being a safe destination for migrants.
As a relatively small nation with a population of approximately 15 million, Rwanda has demonstrated resilience following its recovery from the 1994 genocide, which resulted in the deaths of over 800,000 people. Makolo stated that the agreement with the US reflects Rwanda’s commitment to addressing international migration challenges, highlighting the country’s societal values of reintegration and rehabilitation.
For those approved for resettlement in Rwanda, the government promises to provide workforce training, healthcare, and accommodation support, facilitating their integration into one of the fastest-growing economies in recent years. Nevertheless, specifics regarding any potential benefits or compensation for Rwanda in exchange for hosting these deportees have not been disclosed.
Political analyst Gonzaga Muganwa remarked that the agreement serves Rwanda’s strategic interests by strengthening ties with the Trump administration. He noted, “appeasing President Trump pays,” suggesting potential motivations behind Rwanda’s participation in the arrangement.
As the situation evolves, the international community will closely monitor the implications of this agreement on both the deportees and the broader regional dynamics surrounding migration.
