08/10/2026
Rwanda has confirmed it is in preliminary talks with Italy over a potential migrant transfer arrangement.
The discussions focus on receiving deported migrants from Europe, who would be sheltered and processed in Rwanda before being voluntarily returned to their home countries or resettled elsewhere.
Government spokesperson Yolande Makolo said no binding agreements have been signed yet.
The proposed model is similar to the Gashora transit center established in 2019 to house migrants evacuated from Libya.
The talks follow updated EU migration frameworks allowing member states to explore offshore return hubs outside EU borders.
This comes after the UK-Rwanda partnership was scrapped by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
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