UK wins court case over collapsed Rwanda asylum deal
via The Namibian5 min read
An international court has ruled that the UK will not have to pay Rwanda millions of pounds over a collapsed asylum agreement. The deal, signed by the previous Conservative government, aimed to have the UK pay Rwanda to host asylum seekers who arrived illegally in the UK. Keir Starmer cancelled the agreement shortly after taking office. The Rwandan government had sought to sue the UK for over £100 million, claiming a breach of terms. Lawyers representing the UK argued that it was logical the plan would be scrapped when Labour came to power and that no further payments were due. They also denied the UK breached parts of the deal. The Hague's Permanent Court of Arbitration found that Rwanda is not entitled to the relief it sought. A spokesperson for the Rwandan government respected the ruling but noted a dissenting opinion suggested the issues were complex and open to different legal conclusions regarding financial arrangements. Emmanuel Ugirashebuja, Rwanda's minister of justice and attorney general, had previously stated Rwanda incurred significant costs preparing for the partnership and that the UK did not inform them in advance of scrapping the deal. Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak introduced the scheme as a deterrent to illegal English Channel crossings. The plan, first announced in 2022 by then-prime minister Boris Johnson, intended for asylum seekers arriving illegally from safe countries to be sent to Rwanda for processing. The first flight in 2022 was grounded due to
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The Namibia Development Foundation Namdef Trust will host a two-day national conversation on responsible gambling in Windhoek from June 8 to 9. The event aims to address growing concerns over gambling addiction and its social impact in Namibia, particularly among young people facing unemployment. The discussions will bring together regulators, operators, psychologists, researchers, civil society, and affected communities to develop solution-oriented dialogues. Key objectives include initiating inclusive dialogue, strengthening prevention and early intervention, addressing workplace productivity risks, and improving access to counselling and rehabilitation services. Namdef hopes the discussions will generate policy recommendations for future planning and social protection strategies. The foundation has highlighted the prevalence of gambling in informal settings with limited consumer protection. This initiative follows public appeals from individuals like Jason Kauhondamwa, who sought stronger intervention measures and publicly requested to be banned from gambling premises due to his addiction. The Namibia Gaming and Entertainment Control Board acknowledged delays in processing self-exclusion requests, attributing them to the slow development of an interactive register for licensed establishments. Namdef's safe gambling programme will operate as an independent non-profit social safeguard, supporting responsible gambling obligations without assuming a regulatory or enforcement r
Must ReadPresident Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah reaffirmed the government's commitment to ensuring sufficient food production, creating employment opportunities for the youth, and fostering community development during a visit to key agricultural and development projects in the Hangwena region. This visit was part of her nationwide tour of agricultural and livestock projects, accompanied by Minister Inge Zaamwani-Kamwi, Minister of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform. The government supports the Ekoka Brownfield Green Scheme project, where Nandi-Ndaitwah was briefed on infrastructure development, including a completed fence, borehole, and an irrigation system aimed at boosting agriculture. This project has successfully cultivated millet, maize, beans, and groundnuts this year, with all crops currently being harvested. The President emphasized that the project is part of broader government efforts to enhance agriculture and livestock farming, strengthen food security, and create jobs, especially for rural youth. She encouraged the young workers at the project to remain dedicated and hardworking, highlighting the importance of their commitment to the project's continuous progress. President Nandi-Ndaitwah also visited the government-supported San Communities Development Centre in Ekoka, which focuses on improving livelihoods and economic empowerment, enhancing incomes, and enabling the local community to actively participate in the economy. She was informed about programs designed to improve
Namibian defensive midfielder Dynamo Fredericks has won his third consecutive Botswana Orange FA Cup with Jwaneng Galaxy FC, marking his 13th major career title. Jwaneng Galaxy defeated Mochudi Centre Chiefs 2-1 in Gaborone on Friday, May 29. Mochudi Centre Chiefs opened the scoring in the 27th minute, but Jwaneng Galaxy equalized a minute later, with Omaatla Kebatho scoring the decisive goal in the 58th minute. This victory represents Fredericks' fourth major trophy with Jwaneng Galaxy since joining in 2023, adding to his Botswana Premier League title from the 2023/24 season. The 34-year-old's career began in Namibia, playing for Ramblers FC, Civics FC, and Black Africa FC, where he won four Namibia Premier League titles and two domestic trophies. He also played for African Stars before moving to Botswana in 2023 after an impressive performance at the 2023 Cosafa Cup. His first season with Jwaneng Galaxy was affected by a serious knee injury, but he returned to action in August 2024. Fredericks stated that despite the FA Cup win, the season was challenging, and he is happy to have won the cup for the third time. He emphasized that winning involves maximum effort on and off the pitch. Fellow Namibian midfielder Marcel Papama of Township Rollers FC was a joint top scorer in the Botswana FA Cup with three goals.
Manchester City's Antoine Semenyo and former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey have been included in Ghana's 26-man World Cup squad. Coach Carlos Queiroz finalized the selection for the tournament, where Ghana is placed in a challenging Group L alongside England, Croatia, and Panama. The team will play a friendly against Wales in Cardiff before heading to North America for their fifth World Cup appearance. Midfielder Partey, 32, from Villarreal, is scheduled to stand trial in the UK on rape and sexual assault charges, to which he has pleaded not guilty. Veteran Leicester City attacker Jordan Ayew will captain the Black Stars. Tottenham winger Mohammed Kudus will miss the tournament due to injury. Semenyo, 26, joined Manchester City from Bournemouth in January for an initial £62.5 million and has scored 11 goals in 27 games. Ghana's World Cup campaign in the United States, Canada, and Mexico begins on June 11, with their opening match against Panama six days later.