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 拢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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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Namibian.
Vice President Lucia Witbooi challenged government and private sector communicators to be champions of truth, emphasizing that strategic communication is vital for nation-building, public trust, and the successful implementation of the Sixth National Development Plan NDP6. Speaking at the 2026 Effective Communicators Conference in Swakopmund, Witbooi highlighted that communication is now central to democratic governance, social cohesion, and development. She noted that the rise of artificial intelligence and digital platforms increases the responsibility of communicators to ensure facts, clarity, and truth prevail over misinformation. Witbooi urged participants to strengthen their skills, build networks, and rethink government communication with citizens. She stated that the government expects communicators to drive public awareness, improve institutional coordination, promote digital inclusion, and strengthen community engagement to support NDP6. She tasked delegates with creating a guiding document to strengthen the communications profession, improve credibility, adapt to trends, and tell Namibia鈥檚 story. Witbooi stressed that government investment in communicators is crucial to prevent institutions from being vulnerable to misinformation.
Must ReadThe International Cricket Council ICC has announced a new format for next year's Cricket World Cup, which Namibia will co-host with South Africa and Zimbabwe. While the number of competing teams has increased to 14, the new structure makes it significantly harder for associate nations, including co-host Namibia, to qualify for the main stage. South Africa and Zimbabwe automatically qualify as ICC full members, along with the top eight ranked nations. The remaining four spots are determined through a lengthy qualifying process that began two years ago. Namibia, as an associate nation, must still qualify despite being a co-host. Namibia and seven other associate nations are currently competing in the ICC World Cup League Division 2 WCL D2. The top four teams from WCL D2 will advance to a final World Cup qualifier. The ICC states the changes aim to create more meaningful contests and enhance the tournament experience, but the new format has drawn criticism on social media, particularly from associate nations. The Netherlands opening batter Max O' Dowd highlighted the extensive qualifying rounds associate teams must endure. Namibia is currently in the Netherlands preparing for a crucial WCL D2 series against the Dutch and Nepal, sitting seventh on the log with 22 points.
Must ReadPresident Cyril Ramaphosa's legal team argued in the Western Cape Division of the High Court that ongoing impeachment proceedings would cause him significant humiliation and irreparable harm to his reputation. Advocate Wim Trengove, representing Ramaphosa, sought an urgent interdict to halt the impeachment committee's proceedings, which stem from his conduct in the Phala Phala saga, pending a review of the Section 89 independent panel report. This panel, chaired by former Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo, found that Ramaphosa had a case to answer regarding the theft of $580,000 in cash from his Phala Phala game farm. The Constitutional Court had previously cleared the way for an impeachment process. The African Transformation Movement ATM, Economic Freedom Fighters EFF, uMkhonto Wesizwe MK, and United Africans Transformation UAT parties, along with the impeachment committee, are opposing Ramaphosa's application. Judge Francis questioned the argument of humiliation, suggesting it is part of the job of a President, and raised concerns about the public waiting longer for accountability. Advocate Dali Mpofu, representing the MK party, argued that granting an interdict would harm the people of South Africa by delaying their ability to hold the President accountable. Trengove countered that the National Assembly rules are designed to protect the President from unwarranted impeachment proceedings and that Ramaphosa is only asking for a two- to three-month delay. He also argued that the