Metro

Rwanda to receive first 50 asylum seekers from UK by end of May

Published

3 years ago

May 20, 2022

The first batch of 50 asylum seekers apprehended in the United Kingdom are to be transferred to Rwanda by the end of May for proper profiling, a British government spokesperson said on Friday.

The agreement which has continued to stir up controversies, was reached on April between the UK government and Rwandan and would see the British government sending people seeking asylum to the East African country to be profiled on their proper status, with the Rwandan government getting paid for the service.

Also confirming the imminent transfer, Rwanda’s deputy government spokesman, Alain Mukurarinda, said:

“According to the information we have, the first batch of migrants will arrive by the end of the month; but it is the British government that knows how many will come and when they will come.

“Once they have got their (asylum seeker) status, they will go and live with other Rwandans. They will be free. They will not be prisoners,” Mukurarinda said.

The statement from the Home Office also noted that the British government has started to notify those who are likely to be relocated, with the first flights expected to take place in the coming months.

The plan had initially faced stiff opposition from international human rights groups which expressed concerns over Rwanda’s human rights record as noted by the British government itself noted last year.

In an earlier report, the British government said more than 28,000 migrants and refugees made the crossing from mainland Europe to Britain on rickety boats, prompting the idea of sending those arrested to the African country to be properly profiled.

Britain has said the plan to send people to Rwanda would initially cost 120 million pounds ($158 million), which would be paid by UK.

On Thursday, the Rwandan government took journalists on a tour of hostels that were being adapted to house the migrants, fully paid for by the British government.

Related Topics:asylum Featured Rwanda United Kingdom

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Metro

Zambia: Expert warns of food security threat due to climate change

Published

13 minutes ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A prominent Zambian climate-smart agriculture expert, Oliver Bulaya, has warned of a collapse of the county’s agricultural sector with a potential threat to food security due to the worsening impact of climate change.

Bulaya, who bared his mind in an interview with Zambia Monitor on Friday, warned that ignoring the crisis could lead to severe disruptions in the country’s food supply and economy.

“Unless concerted efforts are made, the country will continue facing dire consequences from climate change,” the expert noted.

He lamented a growing trend of farmers relocating to regions experiencing above-normal rainfall, such as the northern block, as they struggle with losses caused by climate variability.

Bulaya emphasized that the once-reliable rainfall areas like North-Western Zambia are now experiencing lower precipitation, as seen during the 2023/2024 farming season and cautioned that poor farming practices, which had already strained the Southern region, could lead to similar challenges in other parts of the country if proactive measures were not implemented.

Metro

Outrage over murder of Nigerian beaten to death by South Africans inside estate security office

Published

5 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The Nigerian community, under the auspices of Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA), has raised the alarm over the murder of a 37-year-old Nigerian, Julius Chukwunta, who was beaten to death by four South Africans inside an estate.

According to the association, Chukwunta, a native of Aninri Local Government Area in Enugu State, was reportedly attacked on Saturday, December 7, while driving to his residence in Midrand Protea Estate.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the President-General of NICASA, Dr Frank Onyekwelu, Chukwunta was blocked by the four men while approaching his residence.

Onyekwelu stated that information available to the association noted that after attempting to pass through, Chukwunta was met with resistance by the assailants, prompting him to seek help at the security office of the estate.

“At that moment, the four men allegedly attacked him, leaving him severely injured with a head wound,” the PG said.

“His female companion, who was sitting in the car, rushed to the security office and discovered him bleeding on the ground.

“In spite of attempts to call for help, the security office and residents did not assist in calling the police or an ambulance.

“After an hour, Chukwunta’s partner contacted her father, who, along with other family members, took him to Tembisa General Hospital.

“Chukwunta was placed on life support but later succumbed to his injuries and died at the Tembisa General Hospital on December 10, 2024.”

Onyekwelu also confirmed that the case was reported to the police by Chukwunta’s partner at the Midrand Police Station and was registered under file number 262/12/2024.

The NICASA President said the four suspects, aged 20, 24, 27, and 28, were arrested, and the case was presented in Alexandra Magistrate Court on December 13, 2024, where they were charged with murder.

“The court proceedings on December 18, 2024, saw three of the suspects granted bail of R10,000 each, while the fourth had not yet applied for bail. The case was adjourned to February 3, 2025.”

Onyekwelu however, expressed disappointment at the proceedings, wondering why three of the suspects were released on bail and vowed that the Nigerian community would continue to demand justice for Chukwunta and support his family.

He emphasised that the community would not rest until justice was served and the value of Nigerian lives was upheld in South Africa.