Rwanda refuses to accept asylum seekers expelled against their will

Rwanda Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and East African Community Olivier Nduhungirehe said yesterday that his country will not accept asylum seekers who have been expelled against their will.

Let me be clear: Rwanda will NEVER receive any African migrant who is deported against his/her will. Our « open doors » policy only applies to those who come to Rwanda voluntary, without any form of constraint.

Any manipulation of women, men & children in distress is appalling. https://t.co/W1chMCq96y

— Olivier J.P. Nduhungirehe (@onduhungirehe) January 24, 2018

The Rwandan government denied on Tuesday it had signed a secret deal with Israel to absorb African asylum seekers removed from Israel.

In reference to the rumors that have been recently spread in the media, the Government of Rwanda wishes to inform that it has never signed any secret deal with Israel regarding the relocation of African migrants. (4/5)

— Government of Rwanda (@RwandaGov) January 22, 2018

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet President Paul Kagame on the side lines of the World Economic Forum to discuss Israel’s desire to sign an agreement with Kigali to absorb African asylum seekers deported from Israel.

Read: African asylum seekers protest Israel deportation plan