The United Kingdom has identified Côte d’Ivoire and Botswana as potential candidates to replicate the migrant deportation scheme previously implemented in Rwanda.
Leaked documents obtained by The Times on Monday reveal the UK government’s efforts to secure another third-country deal for asylum seekers.
Additionally, talks have reportedly been initiated with Armenia and Costa Rica for similar agreements.
Although South American countries such as Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Brazil, and Colombia were approached, they were deemed less likely to be interested in the proposed “third-country asylum processing deal”.
African nations like Cape Verde, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Angola, and Sierra Leone have been placed on a reserve list, to be considered if primary targets fail. Meanwhile, Morocco, Tunisia, Namibia, and The Gambia have declined to participate in the arrangement.
The urgency to secure these deals came after UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak gave the home and foreign offices a deadline last autumn to finalize two additional agreements.
Officials are assessing potential countries based on feasibility criteria, including the size of territory and population.
The UK’s attempt to replicate the deportation scheme comes two years after signing a deal with Rwanda to relocate migrants who cross the English Channel in small boats.
However, the plan has faced legal challenges, and no individuals have been sent to Rwanda under the agreement, despite the UK spending at least £370 million on the initiative.
Although the Safety of Rwanda Bill was approved by the House of Commons, the House of Lords inserted amendments to ensure compliance with international law.
Despite the Commons rejecting these changes, the Lords remained steadfast in their position.
The unaltered bill is set to return to the Lords this week. If it becomes law, it may take weeks before any deportation flights to Rwanda commence, as selected individuals are likely to appeal.
Furthermore, reports suggest that Rwanda’s state-owned airline declined a UK government proposal to transport asylum seekers, potentially due to concerns about association with the controversial scheme.
YOU MAY ALSO READ: European Union unveils plan to invest €10.8m in 6 Nigerian universities