The UK government’s recent attempt to move some of its asylum seekers to Rwanda has sparked a debate in British politics about whether the scheme will be a success. However, what do the residents of Rwanda think about this deal? Hope Hostel, located in the upscale suburb of Kigali, is the perfect example of this debate. The hostel’s 50 double rooms with balconies offer exquisite views of Kigali’s rolling hills, but the atmosphere is eerie. Daily cleaning is still carried out, while toiletries and slippers wait for new arrivals that have yet to arrive.
Before becoming the asylum host in the present time, Hope Hostel used to be a shelter for genocide survivors, where Hutu extremists targeted the Tutsi minority. Ismail Bakina, the managing director of the hostel, shared that they were told that many Muslim people from the Middle East would arrive. To accommodate their faith, each of the rooms is equipped with a Quran and prayer mats. Additionally, the signs around the hostel are in English and Arabic, and the restaurant has a large halal placard above its kitchen.
Last year, the UK government and Rwanda finalized a £240m ($300m) deal after which Rwanda agreed to resettle some of the UK’s asylum seekers. These asylum seekers would have the opportunity to stay in Rwanda or move to another country. While the deal has received mixed reviews, a 25-year-old journalist living in Rwanda, Providence Uwase, thinks this deal might bring money into the country, thereby supporting economic growth in the area.
However, some people living in Rwanda are wary of the deal and do not want to openly criticize their government due to the risk of repercussions in a nation under harsh scrutiny for its lack of free expression. The funding from the deal is supposed to take care of the asylum seekers sent from the UK. Still, some people, such as opposition politician Victoire Ingabire, believe human rights issues must be addressed to make the deal work without any legal hindrances. Nonetheless, the Rwandan government has emphasized meeting the highest standards of international law.
Despite the funding and good hospitality offered by Rwanda, a majority of the refugees relocated to Gashora transit camp since 2019 have opted to resettle in another country. They feel their life goals cannot be achieved in Rwanda. Some of the refugee camps lack basic amenities, and there is very little chance of improvement. Therefore, some people in Rwanda question Britain’s decision to send asylum seekers to Rwanda
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