Ethiopia Resumes Repatriating its nationals stranded in Saudi Arabia

ADDIS ABABA – Ethiopia has resumed repatriating undocumented migrants detained in Saudi Arabai this week, according to ministry of foreign affairs.

“Preparations have been made to bring in 1000 Ethiopians from Saudi Arabia in three flights per a week,” said Ambassador Dina Mufti, spokesperson of the Ministry, during a press briefing on Thursday.

“The flights have begun giving priority to mothers and those with health problems,” he added.

Addis Ababa repatriated nearly 42, 000 of its undocumented citizens who were detained in the gulf nation via 139 flights, between mid-June to the first week of last month.

It is now pushing to repatriate a thousand more from various detention centers and prisons in Saudi Arabia “who were not able to come to Ethiopia in the previously arranged mass flights,” he added.

Children, women, elders and patients have been given priorities in the repatriation program which is aimed to bring 1000 citizens per a week, the Ministry disclosed.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Dina said A delegation from the Ministry and UN migration agency, IOM, has travelled to Yemen, Aden, recently.

The team has issued certificates of citizenship to 4000 Ethiopian migrants who want to come home, he said. Last week, a total of 79 migrants have been repatriated from Yemen.