Musings From Abroad

Church of England condemns UK plan to send asylum seekers, immigrants to Rwanda

Published

1 year ago

April 17, 2022

The Church of England has condemned the United Kingdom parliament’s agreement to would send asylum seekers and illegal immigrants to Rwanda.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby on his Easter homily on Sunday considered the arrangement as a way of “sub-contracting [The UK’s] responsibilities, even to a country that seeks to do well like Rwanda, [was] the opposite of the nature of God”.

The Archbishop said the UK was a nation “formed by Christian values”, therefore “sub-contracting out its responsibilities” was “the opposite of the nature of God”.

The said deal involves transporting people deemed to have entered the UK illegally to the east African country, where they will be allowed to apply for the right to settle. But it has faced widespread opposition since the countries signed last Thursday what they called an “economic development partnership” in Kigali.

Rwandan foreign affair minister, Vincent Biruta said the partnership was built on the eastern African country’s record of hosting those fleeing conflict. Vowing the deal would ensure that migrants are protected and offered opportunities to live and work alongside Rwandans if they choose to settle there.

Opposition politicians in Rwanda have criticised its agreement to accept thousands of unauthorized asylum seekers flown from the UK, saying wealthy western countries should “own up to international obligations on the migration issues”.

But the United Kingdom’s Home Office believes the plan is in line with the UK’s “proud history” of supporting those in, adding that Rwanda was “safe and secure” and would process claims in accordance with international human rights laws.

Related Topics:church of england Featured Rwanda

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Musings From Abroad

China supports South Africa on BRICS summit— Report

Published

17 hours ago

June 9, 2023

Ifeoluwa Dada

Local media in China are reporting that the Asian giant will support South Africa to host the BRICS summit later this year.

South Africa has come under diplomatic pleasure following its continued relations with Russia, with the United States alleging recently that it aided Russia with ammunition in the ongoing Ukraine war.

South Africa is under the spotlight as it decides if it would arrest Russian President, Vladimir Putin during his expected visit for the BRICS Summit in August after the International Criminal Court placed a warrant on the European leader.

But with China now backing South Africa’s stance in the international space, particularly in hosting the BRICS summit and in relations with Putin’s expected visit, it may find some courage to rebuff the West.

Chinese President, Xi Jinping is reported to have had a phone conversation with South Africa’s Ramaphosa with assurances communicated.

Musings From Abroad

Italy, Netherlands, EU set to announce aid package for Tunisia

Published

17 hours ago

June 9, 2023

Ifeoluwa Dada

Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni has said that a fresh aid package to Tunisia would be announced by the European Union alongside her country and the Netherlands on Sunday.

Meloni, who recently ended a visit to Tunisia, will visit again on Sunday with her Dutch counterpart, Mark Rutte and the EU Commission’s Ursula von der Leyen with high hopes.

“It seems to me that important steps forward are being taken,” Meloni said.

There are concerns that the delay with the loan could deepen Tunisia’s financial crisis and escalate migrants’ crisis across the Mediterranean Sea in search of a better life in Europe.

Creditors, which are largely European, want President Kais Saied to accept the terms of financial reforms by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for its loan which will unlock extra funds in bilateral aid for the country.

Creditors are also refusing to provide Tunisia with long-term budget support unless the IMF agrees to a deal that assures them of repayment of its debts. They have, however, given Tunisia smaller sums to help it purchase food and fuel.

President Saied announced last week that additional taxes would be implemented as a stopgap measure before an expected IMF loan.

Tunisia is in debt to the tune of roughly 80% of its GDP, and the IMF agreed in principle last year to a new loan of nearly $2 billion to help it overcome its severe financial crisis.