Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Expresso das Ilhas
Published on 2024-04-16 15:32:57
The UK government’s proposal to deport illegal immigrants to Rwanda will return to the House of Commons for a new series of debates and votes on the amendments approved in the House of Lords on Monday, October 15.
According to The Times and BBC, the government is in talks with other countries, including Angola and Cape Verde, which are among the options.
Angola and Cape Verde are on a list of countries that the UK government is considering approaching to receive illegal immigrants from the UK, similar to the deal negotiated with Rwanda. The information, though unofficial, was reported by The Times and confirmed by the BBC.
According to the British newspaper, London is currently negotiating with Côte d’Ivoire, Botswana, Costa Rica, and Armenia to replicate the same type of agreement made with Rwanda.
Rwandan authorities agreed to accept hundreds of asylum seekers over the next five years in exchange for around £400 million, nearly £500 million.
Rwanda presents itself as one of the most stable countries in the African continent, but various human rights groups accuse President Paul Kagame of governing in a climate of fear, stifling dissent and freedom of expression.
The British government is also exploring other options, with Angola and Cape Verde on the list, along with Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, and Sierra Leone. Lack of local resources and structures, limited diplomatic relations, and potential opposition from the public are some of the identified obstacles. Guinea-Bissau was rejected due to political instability. Morocco, Tunisia, Namibia, and The Gambia have explicitly rejected negotiations on this matter.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak considers this bill essential to deter migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats like inflatable dinghies. In the first quarter of 2024, the number of illegal migrants entering the country increased by 41.7% compared to the first quarter of 2023, reaching a record level.
Read the original article(Portuguese) on Expresso das Ilhas
