Negative stereotypes about Rwanda misinterpret the real state of affairs in the country, Rwanda's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Johnston Busingye said.
"This distorts the realities of modern Rwanda. Our young nation is not defined by our history, but by a focus on the future: a commitment to unity, stability and dignified livelihoods for our people," the official stated.
According to Busingye, his country has undergone dramatic development changes in different spheres, such as economic growth, safety, health care and others.
"There has been an unprecedented transformation over the past 29 years in terms of safety, health and economic growth [...] We are a rapidly growing economy and one of the world’s easiest places to do business," he stated.
Busingye's comments were a response to a former British army chief, General Lord Richard Dannatt, who expressed doubt in regard to his country's plans to send migrants to Rwanda, stating that "a shadow of genocide hangs over" the African country.
Earlier this month the former head of the British Army, General Lord Richard Dannatt, expressed discomfort with the UK government's plan to relocate migrants who enter the country unlawfully to Rwanda.
In his turn, Rwanda's High Commissioner to the UK has called for objective assessments of Rwanda, that are free from outdated Western stereotypes of Africa.
"Whether you agree with the migration partnership or not. [...] Assessments of Rwanda should be objective, not based on antiquated Western stereotypes of Africa," Busingye stressed.
Back in April 2022, the UK and Rwanda entered into a migration and economic development partnership, which seeks to address the challenges faced by individuals who seek asylum in European countries. As declared, the partnership aims to provide a dignified life for these individuals by empowering them with skills, education, and job opportunities. The first relocation flight, planned in June of last year, was canceled as the European Court of Human Rights ruled that the plan carries a "real risk of irreversible damage."
In March, the UK and Rwanda signed an updated version of the bilateral migration agreement, reiterating the plans to organize the relocation of migrants. The agreement now covers all categories of migrants who illegally arrived in the United Kingdom and stipulates that they can be deported to their homeland or third country such as Rwanda without the right to ask the British authorities for asylum.