Rwanda Takes UK to Arbitration Over Cancelled Migration Deal

• Jan 28, 2026

Rwanda has launched international arbitration against the United Kingdom, accusing it of abandoning financial and resettlement commitments under their migration partnership.

The dispute centers on the Migration and Economic Development Partnership (MEDP), which took effect on April 25, 2024. Rwanda says the treaty aimed to deter dangerous migration journeys while providing opportunities for vulnerable migrants and building on Rwanda’s history of hosting refugees. The agreement included financial arrangements and commitments for resettling refugees in the UK.

According to Kigali, the partnership began to unravel in July 2024 after the UK’s new prime minister publicly declared the MEDP “dead and buried” without consulting Rwanda. That same day, Rwanda was told no future transfers of migrants under the treaty would take place, and the UK indicated plans to formally terminate the agreement.

Financial tensions followed. In November 2024, the UK asked Rwanda to forgo two scheduled payments of £50 million each, citing the anticipated treaty termination. Rwanda agreed to negotiate new terms if the treaty ended, but talks stalled, leaving the payments unresolved.

Rwanda submitted a Notice of Arbitration to the Permanent Court of Arbitration on November 24, 2025, under Article 22 of the treaty. The filing includes three claims: the UK breached an exchange of notes on financial arrangements, violated Article 18 regarding financial obligations, and breached Article 19 by refusing to resettle vulnerable refugees hosted in Rwanda. Kigali says the UK has made clear it does not intend to pay or fulfil its resettlement commitments.

The UK formally notified Rwanda of the treaty’s termination, which will take effect on March 16, 2026. Rwanda expressed regret over the UK ending the partnership but said pursuing arbitration was necessary due to London’s refusal to meet its obligations.

Rwanda framed the arbitration within a broader context of global migration, emphasizing its continued commitment to protecting refugees and providing opportunities for migrants. Kigali described the MEDP as a “bold approach” to address migration challenges while highlighting its role in hosting vulnerable populations.

This arbitration case is notable as a developing country challenging a major Western government in an international court over migration and financial obligations. The outcome could set an important precedent for international migration agreements and the enforcement of treaty obligations.