The Government of Rwanda says the country is negotiating with Israel to take in over 10,000 African asylum seekers. The Foreign Minister of Rwanda, Louise Mushikiwabo stated this on Friday in an interview with The New Times. He however disclosed that both countries are yet to reach an agreement especially on the number of Africans that would be taken in for resettlement.
"We have had discussions with Israel on receiving some of the immigrants and asylum seekers from this part of Africa who would be willing to come to Rwanda. If they are comfortable to come here, we would be willing to accommodate them. How it's done and their livelihoods, once they are here, are details that have not been concluded yet," she said.
The move by Rwanda is coming after Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu announced that his government was working toward removing over 400, 000 asylum seekers from the country.
According to Haaretz, an Israeli daily, Israel will pay Rwanda up to $5, 000 for each asylum seeker it agrees to take in. meanwhile, each asylum seeker is expected to get $3, 500 to leave Israel and buy their flight ticket out of the country.
