As Prime Minister Boris Johnson unveiled his proposal to deport migrants to Rwanda in a bid to curb refugee influx across the channel, a lesser-known story from his tenure as Foreign Secretary emerges.
In a quiet move, Johnson granted immunity from prosecution to Rwanda’s defense minister, General James Kabarebe, accused of instigating some of Africa’s worst wars and refugee crises.
Kabarebe was given “special mission” status to attend a UN peacekeeping summit in London in 2016, shielding him from potential arrest warrants issued by France and Spain for alleged war crimes.
While Kabarebe denies involvement in supporting rebel militias in the region, recent events like M23 capturing crucial mining territories causing mass displacement give rise to concern.
Despite these allegations, Kabarebe’s trip to London was primarily to avoid extradition requests related to his suspected role in the assassination of Rwanda’s former President, triggering a genocide that claimed over 800,000 lives.
Special Mission Status
Johnson’s move to protect Kabarebe under special mission status mirrors similar actions taken to shield Israeli officials from prosecution over Gaza-related atrocities.
Despite these controversies, UK’s ties with Rwanda strengthened, culminating in President Kagame’s son being admitted to a prestigious military academy in Britain and hefty financial aid pledged in exchange for help in curbing refugee arrivals.
Cosying up to Kigali
The steadfast support to Rwanda and the deportation agenda seem incongruous with the alleged roles played by Kagame’s inner circle in causing refugee crises in Africa.
The effectiveness of policies like the Dublin agreements in deterring asylum seekers before Brexit raises questions about attempts to blame refugees for current challenges.
These complexities underscore the need for a nuanced approach in addressing migration issues, moving beyond superficial solutions to tackle root causes that drive displacement.
For now, as the debate continues, the Foreign Office remains silent on these contentious issues.