The Rwandan Executive has confirmed that it is in talks with the Italian Government to finalize an agreement that would allow the transfer to its territory of asylum-seeking migrants expelled from Italy. Rome already sealed a pact with Albania in 2023 with similar characteristics and is now exploring a similar model with Kigali, which in 2025 negotiated a similar program with the United Kingdom, ultimately abandoned by Keir Starmer's cabinet after replacing the conservative Rishi Sunak.
"There is still no agreement, I think we are still in talks," said the Rwandan Government spokesperson, Yolande Makolo, when questioned on a program of the Royal FM broadcaster about the possibility of an understanding with Rome.
Makolo pointed out that a possible destination for these deported asylum seekers would be the "emergency transit mechanism" set up by the authorities in the town of Gashora, located near the capital, Kigali.
The spokesperson described these facilities as "a safe place for stranded families, who have nowhere to go, who are in danger or who, for various reasons, cannot stay where they are now; a safe place to receive medical care, training, and rest."
"In addition, asylum applications are processed there and they can return to their country of origin if it is safe and if they wish to do so, or be resettled in other countries," she added, emphasizing that both parties continue "in the phase of discussions regarding this."
Regarding the possible criticisms that this type of agreement may provoke, Makolo admitted that "there will always be criticism, it is part of the process, but we know that we do it for the right reasons."
"We want to be part of the global solution to a major problem, and we know what we gain by being part of the solution," she insisted, before stressing that "migration has driven many economies around the world and we want to make the most of it."
When asked about the controversies generated by the previous project with London, the representative of the Rwandan Executive defended that "the agreement with the United Kingdom did not work because they canceled it," but "it was based on giving people a home, there is nothing wrong with that, and ensuring that they are provided with the necessary resources so that they can rehabilitate, reintegrate, and have a permanent home in a welcoming place, where they can contribute their skills and resources to a new country."
"The lessons learned from the previous experience will help us guide this in the right direction," she emphasized, reiterating that Kigali wants to get involved in this type of programs "for the right reason."
After emphasizing that it is "a serious problem at a global level," the spokesperson reiterated that "asylum seekers are Africans." "We do not want Africans to suffer in countries that do not welcome them. We do not want them to undertake dangerous journeys across the desert and die in the (Mediterranean) sea (...), nor in other countries that do not want them," she stated.
"The ideal would be for them to stay at home, have opportunities and security in their own homes. And if they cannot achieve that, maybe they can find it in other countries, especially in Africa. (...) We want young Africans to be happy living on their continent and to contribute to building it together," she affirmed.
In recent years, Rwanda has become a regular player in this type of arrangements, with a current agreement with the United States and another frustrated one with the United Kingdom, which was discarded after the conservatives lost in 2024 the number 10 of Downing Street to Keir Starmer's labor party. Italy, for its part, has positioned itself among the main promoters of these schemes within the European Union, after approving in 2023 a similar agreement with Albania.