of sending migrants to countries with no direct ties to them. Rwanda’s government spokesperson, Yolande Makolo, stated that the country would oversee the resettlement process, including individual approvals, but detailed timelines remain unclear. The US has previously deported individuals to African nations such as South Sudan and Eswatini, as well as to Latin American countries like Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Panama, citing refusal by some home countries to accept deportees.

A notable past effort involved a failed 2022 UK-Rwanda deal, where the UK planned to process asylum claims in Rwanda—a move widely criticized for ethical concerns and ruled unlawful by Britain’s Supreme Court in 2023. The US has also engaged in secretive deportation agreements with several African nations, sending individuals to South Sudan and Eswatini, where human rights issues—such as solitary confinement and denial of legal access—have been reported. Both countries have declined to disclose details of their arrangements with the US.

Rwanda, a nation recovering from the 1994 genocide, positions itself as a stable and developing country under President Paul Kagame. The government sees the deportation agreement as a contribution to global migration solutions, offering resettled individuals healthcare, training, and housing, although no tangible benefits or reciprocation have been publicly specified. Critics argue that Rwanda’s cooperation may be motivated by strategic interests, including maintaining good relations with the US, particularly under the Trump administration. The UK’s previous migration deal with Rwanda reportedly cost around $900 million, much of which Rwanda said it was not obligated to refund after the agreement’s collapse. (Jamaica Gleaner)