In a surprising twist on global migration politics, Rwanda has indicated it might reopen talks with the UK on deporting migrants—if Nigel Farage becomes Prime Minister.
Farage has promised that, under a Reform government, 600,000 asylum seekers would be sent abroad within five years as part of his controversial “Operation Restoring Justice” plan.
The former Brexit Party leader intends to negotiate agreements with countries like Rwanda to handle migrants arriving in the UK by small boats.
This comes after a previous attempt by the Conservative government to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda stalled and was ultimately scrapped under Labour, with no flights ever taking off.
Rwanda Demands Outstanding Payments
Rwanda’s government has hinted that a return to the scheme would require Britain to pay £50 million it claims is still owed under the original Migration and Economic Development Partnership.
However, a UK government spokesman dismissed the claim, stating that “no further payments will be made” and that Rwanda had waived any additional fees.
The Taliban’s Unexpected Interest
Meanwhile, the Taliban has expressed willingness to collaborate with a potential Reform government on accepting deported Afghans.
More Afghans than any other nationality have crossed the Channel in small boats over the past year—around 6,000—but very few have been returned. Reform has indicated it would pursue new deportation agreements regardless of a country’s human rights record, potentially offering up to £2 billion of UK taxpayer money to secure deals.
Zia Yusuf, a senior Reform figure, defended the plan, saying it is “quite reasonable” to allocate funds to the Taliban, noting that Afghanistan already receives millions in international aid.
Farage, when pressed about the risk of deportees facing torture or execution, admitted concern but emphasized his priority is addressing crime and disorder within the UK.
He also assured that Afghans who supported British and US forces during the 20-year war would be exempt from deportation.
Taliban Official Welcomes Cooperation
A senior Taliban official told The Telegraph that Afghanistan is prepared to accept Afghans returned from the West and highlighted that any aid provided would support newcomers rather than being a payment for accepting deportees.
The official also suggested that Farage’s “different views” might make negotiations easier compared to the current UK government.
Downing Street Keeps Options Open
Even Downing Street has hinted that a future Labour government could pursue a migration returns deal with Afghanistan.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said, “We’re not going to take anything off the table in terms of striking returns agreements with countries around the world.”
Conservative officials also acknowledged that a deal could be struck if they win the next general election, though they warned such agreements could be costly and have significant human rights implications.
The Reform Party’s Funding Plans
Reform has proposed offering £2 billion of the total £10 billion cost of its small boats policy to countries willing to accept deportees.
Yusuf emphasized that this sum is substantial for capitals like Afghanistan and Eritrea, which are top sources of Channel crossings.
He argued that British taxpayers’ money is already going to Afghanistan in the form of £151 million in foreign aid annually, making the proposed payments “reasonable.”
Criticism from Opposition Parties
Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper strongly criticized the plan, describing it as essentially a “Taliban tax” and asserting that no UK taxpayer money should go to a regime linked to terrorist organizations that British forces fought against.
