Following Rwanda, Zambia might be the next destination for the one-way ticket!
June 17, 2022, 12:03 pm

Following Rwanda, Zambia might be the next destination for the one-way ticket!

Zara Saleh1

Today June 14, the first deportation flight with a one-way ticket journey to Rwanda by Home Office's decision regarding people who illegally entered the United Kingdom will take place, while the government is setting a plan to schedule other flights to be sent to the African country. The decision has been made after the judge at the High Court refused the claim that had been held by campaign groups (Detention Action and Care4Calais) last Friday. Boris Johnson’s government has welcomed the High Court's decision as they consider Rwanda as a safe country and it is been "recognised for providing a safe haven for refugees" according to the UK Home Office Secretary.

Despite the UN refugee agency's concerns about the situation in Rwanda and also about the asylum seeker procedure there, it is been expected that up to 130 asylum seekers have been notified to be on this "trip" journey flight to Rwanda. The "safe" east African country is expected to host people from different conflict zones countries such as Syria, Afghanistan, Sudan, Iraq, and Eritrea. The recent Home Office's decision has been criticised by many human rights organisations, by the UK political parties’ opposition, and even by Prince Charles who described the government plan as an "appalling" plan regarding the sending the illegal asylum seekers to Rwanda.

Rwanda's government agreement with the UK government (£120 million) as a first payment, has opened eyes for other African countries to seek such a plan with Boris Johnson's government and to join the UK deportation plans. For instance, it has been reported that the Zambian government is seeking to have a similar deal, like Rwanda's agreement, with the UK and Zambia might be the next destination for asylum seekers who have been illegally crossing the UK borders as the Zambian government have been willing to join the UK immigration programme.

Arguably, the UK's offshore scheme, for now, will cost the government £120 ($150.2 million), which will include the asylum seekers' process claim in Rwanda as well. The controversial decision has been heavily criticised by human rights organisations and activists as they claim that the east African country cannot be a safe place for refugees who fled from war zones and definitely wouldn't be the "promised land" as the Tories government expect that. According to many human rights resources, the political situation in Rwanda is unstable and some political activists and journalists are facing persecution, prison, and "even death". That is why the UK government should stop its plan for deportation to Rwanda and seek other alternative plans to save people's life and refugees who survived and fled their conflict countries and desire to be protected according to human rights conventions and treaties.

BY: Zara Saleh

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.