The Government of Rwanda has formally initiated arbitration proceedings against the United Kingdom over disputes arising from the Migration and Economic Development Partnership (MEDP), submitting a Notice of Arbitration to the Permanent Court of Arbitration on 24 November 2025.
The arbitration, filed under Article 22 of the treaty between Rwanda and the UK, follows what Kigali describes as the United Kingdom’s failure to honour its financial and resettlement commitments under the agreement.
The MEDP, which entered into force on 25 April 2024, was initially proposed by the United Kingdom as a novel approach to tackling dangerous irregular migration routes while addressing underlying economic drivers of migration. Rwanda says the partnership aligned with its long-standing commitment to protecting vulnerable people, building on its record of hosting refugees and migrants from across the world.
However, the future of the agreement became uncertain in July 2024 when the newly appointed UK Prime Minister publicly declared the partnership “dead and buried” shortly after taking office. According to Rwanda, the announcement was made without prior notice, contrary to the spirit of cooperation that had characterised the partnership.
Later that day, Rwanda was informed that the UK did not intend to schedule any further removals of individuals under the MEDP and would consider formally terminating the treaty.
In November 2024, the UK further requested that Rwanda forgo two payments of £50 million each, due in April 2025 and April 2026, citing the anticipated termination of the agreement.
Rwanda indicated it was prepared to consider alternative arrangements if the treaty were formally terminated, provided new financial terms were negotiated and agreed.
However, discussions between the two countries did not materialise, and Rwanda maintains that the payments remain due under the treaty.
The UK has since made clear it does not intend to make any further payments under the MEDP and will not honour its commitment to resettle in the UK a portion of the most vulnerable refugees hosted in Rwanda.
Following the filing of Rwanda’s Notice of Arbitration, the UK formally notified Kigali of the treaty’s termination. In line with the treaty’s provisions, the termination is set to take effect on 16 March 2026.
In the arbitration proceedings, Rwanda is advancing three claims: that the UK breached an exchange of notes outlining the treaty’s financial arrangements; that it violated Article 18 of the treaty regarding those arrangements; and that it breached Article 19 by refusing to make arrangements to resettle vulnerable refugees from Rwanda.
Rwanda expressed regret that the dispute has escalated to arbitration but said it was left with no alternative after efforts to resolve the matter amicably failed.
Despite the dispute, Rwanda reaffirmed its commitment to contributing to solutions to the global migration crisis by providing safety, dignity, and opportunity to refugees and migrants within its borders.
