Ethiopia to repatriate 12,000 more citizens from 8 countries include 6 in Africa

JUBA – The Ethiopian government will today started repatriation process for about 12,000 of its citizens from eight countries in African and the Middle East, the ministry of foreign affairs said in a statement this morning.

In recent months, Ethiopia has stepped up efforts to take back its citizens stranded overseas, mainly in Saudi Arabia, as part of the government’s “citizen-centred diplomacy,” starting with Saudi Arabia where estimated 750,000 of its citizens were living, most of them without proper documentations .

Speaking during the foreign ministry bi-weekly briefing on Thursday, Ethiopian foreign ministry spokesperson Amb. Meles Alem said the will collaborate with the International Organization of Migration (IOM) to repatriate those Ethiopians found in dire conditions in Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Djibouti, Sudan, Yemen and Oman.

Alem said that “the repatriation of about 102, 000 Ethiopian citizens from Saudi Arabia to their homeland went according to plan, repatriating 50% of the total population with 126 flights since March 2022” and stated that government efforts are being exerted “to encourage Ethiopians and people of Ethiopian origins in the Diaspora actively participate in pivotal issues in their country.”

“Accordingly, as part of the second phase of the Eid-to-Eid homecoming program, the first Badr Ethiopia convention outside the USA and Canada will be held in Ethiopia under the banner Badr back to the root,” he added.

Amb. Alem further discussed the peace efforts of the government of Ethiopia and recognition from various bodies, including the IGAD and the World Bank.