Botswana’s Foreign Minister, Lemogang Kwape, revealed that the UK approached his country about taking in migrants deemed “unwanted” by the British government. Kwape confirmed rejecting the request, citing existing immigration challenges in Botswana.
This news comes on the heels of the UK Parliament approving a controversial plan to send migrants to Rwanda for asylum processing. The first flights to Rwanda are expected to depart in July.
Kwape did not disclose the exact timing of the UK’s approach to Botswana. However, British media reported the UK had explored similar deals with Armenia, Costa Rica, and Ivory Coast.
“The British government, through their Foreign Secretary and Africa Minister, approached us through diplomatic channels,” Kwape explained. “They proposed receiving illegal migrants destined for the UK, but we declined.”
Kwape emphasized Botswana’s existing immigration concerns within its own region. “We have enough problems to deal with,” he said. “Accepting unwanted migrants from another country would be unfair to Botswana.”
While the specific nationalities were not explicitly mentioned, Kwape did say Afghan migrants were included in the UK’s proposal.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s plan to deter migrants crossing the English Channel has faced legal challenges and criticism from human rights groups. The UK-Rwanda deal aims to send migrants arriving by boat or as stowaways to Rwanda for asylum processing. Successful asylum seekers would then remain in Rwanda.
Despite no deportations yet, the UK has already paid Rwanda at least £240 million ($298 million) for the controversial plan.