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The Ethiopian government has repatriated more than 400,000 Ethiopians from Saudi Arabia in the past three years, the Ethiopian Foreign Ministry said.
Ethiopian immigrants in Saudi Arabia return home from May 2017 to March 2020, according to the ministry’s press release. “Ethiopia has never refused to receive citizens of any country, but operates according to principles and the availability of resources and capacity. Unfortunately, Ethiopia is the source, transit and destination of the migrants. And we have migrants in trouble in Africa and the countries of the Middle East on a larger scale, ”he said.
Coordination of the sector is essential when carrying out repatriation. The sectors involved are the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including the Ethiopian Embassies with the host government, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Peace, the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, the Ministry of Transport, the Commission for the Creation of Employment and the corresponding offices. in the regions. The process consists of identification, data exchange, background checks and confirmation of citizenship, repatriation, reintegration (psychosocial support, subsistence and transportation to the destination).
We have been successful in Beirut working with many stakeholders and we are working with the UN in Yemen and with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. With a growing number of migrants crossing the border into Saudi Arabia, the Ethiopian government is working closely with the Kingdom in many areas and helping migrants is one of the priorities. Since the number of migrants is huge, monitoring their cases has become a full-time commitment for many of the diplomats at our Embassy in Riyadh and the consulate office in Jeddah.
From April to July 2020, 3,500 citizens were repatriated. Illegal immigrants crossing the Saudi Arabian border from Yemen experience further frustration due to a long and traumatic journey through an atrocious condition caused by smugglers. They are being held in a detention center waiting to be returned and discovering that the promises of the traffickers and brokers are outright lies. The number is increasing and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia accepts them despite their growing numbers. The Government of Ethiopia is always grateful for that.
Our mission in Saudi Arabia has assigned dedicated employees to be stationed and constantly visit migrants in detention centers. Ethiopian mission personnel lend a hand when different problems arise and work with the Saudi authorities to solve them. Incident reports are sent out and missions evaluate periodic reports. We must all understand the enormity and complexity of the process of illegal migration and repatriation. Repatriation cannot be an objective in itself. It must be done safely and with dignity up to the point of reintegration.
The Government of Ethiopia wishes to express its sincere appreciation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the outstanding support provided to our citizens in general and to Ethiopian irregular migrants in particular. The Kingdom has always been willing to work in partnership with us at this difficult time and in helping our growing numbers of migrants crossing the border despite international pressure.
Horrible stories are at the center of migrant trafficking; These are things that we must take into account in the detention, repatriation and integration process. This requires a collaborative effort between countries, between international organizations and the media. The Ethiopian government must do more to fight human smugglers and middlemen, make border controls more effective and raise awareness for young people. We are not doing enough.
Our government and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have noticed a vicious cycle of many repatriated migrants smuggled back 10 times or more. The process of establishing a consultative body with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is imperative to take on the task of controlling and monitoring the cyclical emigration of irregular migrants and protecting the rights of migrants. Tangible cooperative enterprises at the bilateral level are critical to addressing migration issues, and both countries are committed to making this a reality.
When COVID-19 hit in April 2020, with the unknown nature of the pandemic, the repatriation process was affected. Despite this difficulty, 3,500 were returned, quarantined and transported to their destination area. Meanwhile, the Ethiopian government was working with Saudi officials who expressed concern about the growing number of migrants crossing the Saudi border.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has always been instrumental in establishing a safe and dignified repatriation process. Consequently, our mission prioritized about 2,000 citizens and sent us their details. The Ministry of Peace, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs have completed the review and we will repatriate these migrants from September 8 to October 6. In the meantime, our missions in the Kingdom will continue to prioritize and work. on the details of the detainees.
Ethiopia has increased border checkpoints by establishing five more and plans to reach at least 27 of them. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs would like to take this opportunity to thank the Ethiopian community in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for all their support. With a generous offer from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs have prepared a proposal to help support projects in the regions of origin to integrate returnees.
“Given the excellent relationship we maintain, we have continued discussions showing our commitment to making a lasting impact on the reintegration of returnees and working hand in hand with stakeholders in the fight against trafficking in persons,” said the Ministry in its release.
