Rwanda to host UK asylum seekers in Sh18 billion deal

Rwanda has inked a multi-million-dollar deal with Britain to host asylum-seekers and migrants to the UK, the East African country announced Thursday, as part of the British government's bid to crack down on illegal migration.

Kigali will host the refugees as their claims are processed by London authorities, the UK media reported on Thursday.

Home Secretary Priti Patel inked the £120 million (Sh18 billion) agreement for a “migration and economic development partnership” on Thursday in Rwandan capital Kigali .

The Times of London reports that crossing the Channel in small boats will also be made a crime, and those who are allowed to stay will have to live in strictly-controlled camp-like environments while their cases are considered.

"Rwanda welcomes this partnership with the United Kingdom to host asylum seekers and migrants, and offer them legal pathways to residence"  Rwanda's Foreign Minister Vincent Biruta said in a statement released during a visit by Patel.

The announcement came hours before a scheduled speech by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson outlining his government's plan to tackle illegal migration and small boat crossings of the Channel.

Johnson was elected partly on promises to curb illegal immigration, but his term has so far been marked by record numbers of Channel crossings.

The deal with Rwanda will see migrants and asylum seekers "integrated into communities across the country," according to the statement released by Kigali.

"This is about ensuring that people are protected, respected, and empowered to further their own ambitions and settle permanently in Rwanda if they choose," said Biruta.

It has been reported previously that the UK hopes to outsource the processing of migrants to countries such as Ghana and Rwanda.