Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — The Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reported that 1,971 Ethiopian citizens have been repatriated from Saudi Arabia after being granted a royal amnesty by the Saudi Arabian government. This development follows a series of diplomatic efforts aimed at securing clemency for Ethiopians detained in the kingdom.
The Ethiopian embassy in Riyadh and consulate in Jeddah played a pivotal role in these efforts, collaborating closely with Saudi officials to pursue legal remedies and humanitarian considerations for the detained Ethiopians.
The Ethiopian government has described the pardons as a testament to the strong bilateral relationship between the two countries and has reiterated its commitment to protecting its citizens living abroad through continued diplomatic engagement.
The announcement of the royal amnesty and subsequent repatriation comes against the backdrop of ongoing concerns over the treatment of Ethiopian migrants in Saudi Arabia, particularly those imprisoned on drug — related charges.
A recent CNN investigation revealed the harrowing conditions faced by Ethiopian prisoners, including the threat of execution without warning. Despite the pardons, Amnesty International has expressed alarm over the treatment of Ethiopians on death row in Saudi Arabia.
The Ethiopian government has been in discussions with Saudi authorities at the highest levels, seeking to address these concerns and improve the situation for Ethiopian nationals.
The repatriation of the 1,971 Ethiopians is a significant step, but it does not resolve the systemic issues affecting Ethiopian migrants in Saudi Arabia.
The Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has emphasized the importance of ongoing diplomatic efforts to ensure the rights and welfare of Ethiopian nationals abroad, including addressing the lack of fair trials and the risk of executions without notice.
As the repatriation process continues, the Ethiopian government remains focused on addressing the broader challenges faced by its citizens in Saudi Arabia, underscoring the complexities of diplomatic engagement in protecting the rights of citizens abroad.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: Africa.businessinsider
Source: Solomon Ekanem
