He voiced the appreciation via a phone conversation with President Paul Kagame on Tuesday 19th April 2022.

A statement released by the Office 10 Downing Street, the Office of the United Kingdom (UK) Prime Minister shows that Boris Johnson reiterated his determination to work closely with Rwanda to tackle this pressing issue and break the business model of people smuggling gangs, while supporting refugees through safe and legal routes.

“The Prime Minister also set out the UK’s support for Ukraine and the need for the international community to come together against Russia’s unjustified invasion,” reads part of the statement.

The Prime Minister also set out the UK’s support for Ukraine and the need for the international community to come together against Russia’s unjustified invasion.

The statement also indicates that both leaders looked forward to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Kigali, Rwanda in June.

Rwanda and the United Kingdom (UK) signed Migration and Economic Development Partnership last week that will see Rwanda hosting asylum seekers from the country illegally.

Under this program, the UK will provide an upfront investment of £120 million to fund invaluable opportunities for Rwandans and migrants including secondary qualifications, vocational and skills training, language lessons, and higher education.

These asylum seekers from African countries and others outside the continent will be treated decently like Rwandans upon arrival. It is expected that those willing to return to their mother lands will be helped to do so.

Unlike asylum seekers and refugees from Libya living in Gashora Transit Camp, the ones from UK will be housed in specially-selected accommodation facilities where they will wait for asylum claims to be processed.

The partnership between both countries reflect Rwanda’s commitments to protecting vulnerable people around the world, and ensuring development and prosperity for Rwanda and its people.

Rwanda’s history has embedded a responsibility to protect vulnerable people around the world. After the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, Rwanda has been an active contributor to peacekeeping missions where it is the largest troop contributor in Africa.

Rwanda was once one of the world’s leading producers of refugees, and as such is particularly concerned with taking urgent steps towards more humane solutions to the global migration crisis.

Rwanda already hosts almost 130,000 refugees from multiple countries including neighbours like the DRC and Burundi.

The country also accommodates other refugees from countries like Afghanistan and evacuees from Libya who have full legal and employment rights.

Boris Johnson has spoken to President Kagame on phone and commended Rwanda's commitment to host asylum seekers.