Rwanda has expressed uncertainty regarding the exact number of UK migrants it will accept under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s deportation scheme. Government spokeswoman Yolande Makolo clarified that while the country is prepared to accept more than the initial 200 migrants, no definitive overall number has been allocated as yet. This comes amid discussions and preparations to extend accommodation facilities beyond those currently available, such as the Hope Hostel in Kigali, which can accommodate up to 200 people.

The scheme, part of a five-year agreement between the UK and Rwanda, is designed to process the asylum claims of migrants in Rwanda, where successful applicants will be granted refugee status. The policy aims to deter irregular migration and the dangerous crossing of the English Channel. However, its implementation has been marred by legal challenges and significant costs, reportedly exceeding £300 million so far.

This policy, initially proposed by former Home Secretary Priti Patel, has been subject to criticism from various quarters including the Labour Party. Labour leader Keir Starmer has indicated that the party would scrap the scheme if elected, advocating instead for a focus on dismantling the operations of criminal gangs involved in human trafficking.

The controversy continues as the first migrant relocated under this program went missing soon after arrival at Hope Hostel, despite the facility being equipped to offer comfortable and engaging living conditions. This incident has compounded existing concerns regarding the scheme’s effectiveness and cost-efficiency.

As discussions continue and the Rwandan government considers expanding its reception facilities, the future scale of the program and its operational specifics remain subjects of both logistical planning and political debate.