Five European governments — Germany, Austria, Denmark, Greece and the Netherlands — sent delegations to Rwanda this week to negotiate migrant "return hubs" outside the EU, with all five aiming to have such centres in place by the end of the year.

The move follows legislation the European Parliament passed in June that allows member states to establish return hubs abroad. Rights groups have criticised the legislation. The German magazine Der Spiegel first reported the planned delegation, saying the five countries intended to discuss setting up centres for rejected asylum seekers.

Rwanda's Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe confirmed the talks to AFP, saying: "The visit indeed occurred and the negotiations are ongoing." He declined to give further details on the substance of the discussions or a possible timetable.

What would the return hubs do?

The centres would serve as transit points for deported migrants — people whose asylum claims EU states have rejected. Instead of remaining in Europe during removal procedures, rejected asylum seekers would be transferred to facilities outside the Union.

AFP reported in April that the five European countries are considering migration agreements with about 10 states, including Rwanda. Kigali said earlier this month that it had begun "preliminary discussions" with several European countries about migrant transit centres, without naming them.

Which site is on the table?

One proposal under discussion is the Gashora Transit Centre, roughly 60 kilometres from the capital, Kigali. From 2019, the site housed migrants stranded in Libya while their asylum applications were processed. Government spokesperson Yolande Makolo told a local radio station that many of those migrants have since left the facility.

Who opposes the plan?

France and Spain object to return hubs. They argue the model falls short of EU values and does not offer an efficient way to deport people whose asylum claims have failed. Rights groups have also voiced anger since the European Parliament approved the June legislation enabling member states to create hubs outside the bloc.

What is Rwanda's track record?

Rwanda signed a deal in 2022 with the Conservative government of then UK prime minister Boris Johnson to accept undocumented migrants arriving by small boat across the Channel from northern France. The plan never operated: the UK Supreme Court deemed it "illegal", and Labour prime minister Keir Starmer scrapped it upon taking office in 2024.

For now, no agreement between the five EU states and Rwanda has been announced. Neither side has published a timetable, terms, or the legal framework for any hub. Readers should follow official announcements from the European Commission and the governments involved for confirmed details.