Botswana Rejects UK's Proposal To Host Asylum Seekers

Botswana authorities have confirmed the receipt of proposals from the United Kingdom regarding the potential relocation of asylum seekers to their country.

However, Gaborone has officially turned down the offer.

The United Kingdom, aiming to tackle the surge in illegal migration, explored the idea of transferring asylum seekers to Africa. This proposal has sparked discussions among British lawmakers who believe that such an arrangement could be advantageous for the host nations.

Rwanda Sole African Country to Accept UK’s Asylum Proposal

Britain’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced that the asylum agreement with Rwanda, the only African nation to agree, is set to commence in 10-12 weeks.

Rwanda Sole African Country to Accept UK’s Asylum Proposal.

Britain’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced that the asylum agreement with Rwanda, the only African nation to agree, is set to commence in 10-12 weeks.

Official data shows that 45,774 migrants arrived in Britain in 2022 on small boats. The figure dropped to 29,437 last year as the government cracked down on people smugglers and reached an agreement to return Albanians to their home country.

Jonathan Portes, a professor of economics and public policy in the UK, says under the Rwanda arrangement, some deserving asylum-seekers will be turned away.

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“There is a general view that the small boats crisis needs to be resolved, [as] that it is very dangerous and unacceptable for people to be arriving in such numbers across the channel, but that does not mean that the majority of the population want to send people, particularly people who would have a claim to refugee status, to Rwanda,” he told VOA.

The economics and policy expert said he is not surprised that Botswana turned down the UK’s proposal, particularly after it came under heavy criticism from the UN and other human rights groups.

Britain has already paid Rwanda £220 million as part of the agreement to host the deported asylum seekers. Sunak’s government has also agreed to pay the country an extra 150 million pounds over the next three years, and £120 million once the first 300 asylum seekers have been resettled, according to the National Audit Office (Nao).

Source:VOA