The Ethiopian government has successfully repatriated around 33,000 nationals stranded in various foreign countries over the past six months, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday. The large-scale repatriation is part of Ethiopia’s ongoing “citizen-centered” diplomatic initiative, aimed at rescuing its nationals facing dire situations abroad.
Nebiat Getachew, the ministry’s spokesperson, highlighted that the repatriation efforts have focused on citizens enduring difficult conditions, especially in regions where they are vulnerable to exploitation and hardship. He noted a particularly alarming case in Myanmar, where 380 Ethiopian nationals, deceived by illegal brokers offering employment opportunities, found themselves trapped in unauthorized camps on the border between Myanmar and Thailand. The living conditions were described as severe.
In a recent success, the Ethiopian government facilitated the rescue of 34 citizens who had been “abducted” by human traffickers and brought them safely to Thailand before they were repatriated. Getachew emphasized that the government’s mission to rescue these individuals, many of whom are stranded in regions lacking strong government control, is both challenging and vital.
The Ethiopian government is actively working with authorities in Myanmar and other affected countries to combat the criminal trafficking networks responsible for exploiting its citizens. Additionally, efforts to dismantle human trafficking operations and create more economic opportunities domestically are part of Ethiopia’s strategy to prevent such crises.
In recent years, the government has intensified efforts to bring home its citizens, especially those suffering in the Middle East. Earlier repatriations have included large numbers of undocumented migrants from countries such as Saudi Arabia, as well as citizens from Lebanon amid rising regional tensions.
