The Rwandan government has officially responded to the UK’s intention to halt its controversial plan to deport asylum seekers to East Africa. In a statement released late Monday, the Rwandan government spokesperson’s office emphasized that the deal was initiated by the UK to tackle what it described as a “UK problem,” not a Rwandan one.

This is the first formal reaction from Rwandan authorities to the new Labour government’s proposal to cancel the deportation scheme, which has faced widespread criticism from human rights organizations and others as both cruel and ineffective.

It remains uncertain whether Rwandan officials have been officially informed of the UK government’s plans or if they are reacting to media reports. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer declared at his first press conference on Saturday that the Rwanda deportation plan was “dead and buried before it even started,” labeling it a “gimmick.”

Starmer’s comments come amid record numbers of migrants arriving in the UK in the first half of the year, raising questions about what alternative measures might be proposed. The Rwanda deportation plan was originally promoted as a deterrent to prevent migrants from embarking on dangerous journeys to the UK, but it has yet to be implemented and has already cost the British government hundreds of millions of dollars.

Rwanda’s statement also noted that the Rwandan government has adhered to its obligations under the agreement, including financial commitments.