BY EPHREM ANDARGACHEW
Currently, there are labor migrants that are suffering in the Middle East, especially in Saudi Arabia’s prisons. Realizing the depraved situation in Saudi Arabia, the government of Ethiopia is working to return Ethiopians suffering in those prisons.
Consequently, a total of 2,257 Ethiopian citizens have been returned. This has happened due to the government’s citizens-centered diplomacy and a concerted effort to repatriate its citizens.
Ethiopian migrants travel to the Middle East for employment as low-skilled domestic workers, cleaners, laborers, and construction workers. However, life is difficult for these migrants.
As indicated in the Global Slavery Index African Regional Report, labor migration from Ethiopia has increased significantly in recent years and many individuals suffering chronic hunger, poverty, and violence, leave their home countries in search of work overseas.
In the biweekly press briefing of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) spokesperson Ambassador Dina Mufti indicated that a delegation comprising officials from the Ministry and other relevant government agencies discussed with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the situation of Ethiopian migrants.
During the discussion, both counties agreed to facilitate a peaceful mechanism for those who could work legally while the agreement includes returning over 2,000 undocumented migrants from Saudi Arabia.
Ethiopian Diaspora Agency on its part remarked that the migrants are Ethiopians who have been detained at Saudi refugee camps for more than a year after being caught for violating the law of the land of Saudi Arabia. Hence, the government has been given due attention to return them as fast as possible.
State Minister of Peace Frealem Sahibabaw for her part stated that the government has been working on making all returnees productive in their homeland. This shows the combined efforts of the government in collaboration with concerned bodies for citizen-centered diplomacy.
Okeke Vincent (Ph.D.) is a Nigerian Political Science expert in his academic article entitled “Citizen-Centric Diplomacy: The Challenges for Nigeria’s Defense and Security in the 21st Century” stated that citizen-centered diplomacy helps to provide and protect the basic needs, human rights, and socioeconomic welfare of the citizen in conducting bilateral and multilateral engagements with other nations.
Realizing these facts, Prime Minister Abiy has implemented the principle of citizen centered diplomacy since he came to power on April 2, 2018. For instance, he returns migrants who have lived in different countries including Sudan, Kenya, Egypt, United Arab Emirates and the likes.
Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Ergogie Tesfaye (PhD) told local media that the government is following citizen-centered diplomacy and is paying attention to the repatriation of undocumented migrants from various countries, adding that the repatriation is being done through negotiations and agreements with the countries. citizen-centered diplomatic relations are also a sign of the government’s focus on citizens.
On September 4, 2019, an annual meeting of Ambassadors, Heads of Missions and Officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was undertaken with a theme “Institutional Reform for Diplomatic Excellence.
In the meeting, Ethiopian ambassadors were given a role to ensure the rights and benefits of Ethiopians living and working in the respective countries, evaluating as well as equipping them with up-to-date realities and directions. Additionally, the ambassadors set citizen-centered diplomacy as one of their priority areas they should engage in.
Hence, ambassadors need to understand today’s rapidly changing world and align ideas and activities with the country’s Foreign Affairs Policy and the platform is instrumental. Since citizens are the optimum capital and great asset of a nation, the diplomatic efforts should center on citizens and dealing with the cases of citizens regardless of their identity, religion or political stance.
According to MoFA Spokesperson Ambassador Dina, it is the principle of citizen-centered diplomacy that would force the government to form a delegation comprising officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant government agencies to discuss and agree with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to improve and return Ethiopian migrants.
Hence, the delegation agreed with the relevant Saudi Arabian officials regarding the protection of the rights of Ethiopian citizens in the country and required facilities for the repatriation process.
The discussion between the Ethiopian and Saudi Arabian officials will review the achievements and challenges of repatriation of illegal migrants who are willing to return home based on their consent.
The close cooperation between the two nations, in this regard, has enabled tens of thousands of Ethiopians to return home safely and in a dignified way, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The visit by the Ethiopian delegation and the outcome of the discussion between the two nations will further strengthen the cooperation between the two countries to efficiently address the problems faced by migrants and expedite the dignified repatriation process.
Ethiopian Special Envoy and Plenipotentiary Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Lencho Bati said that the government of Ethiopia returns citizens who have had expired residence permits and have been living in Saudi Arabia illegally for various reasons. The migrants are returned to their home country voluntarily without fines or imprisonment.
As to Ambassador Dina, since Saturday some 1,931 undocumented Ethiopian migrants from Jeddah and Riyadh returned home. The repatriation has been carried out with six charter flights. These efforts would continue until all citizens of Ethiopia returned.
Alem Mebrate, one of the returnees said “Ethiopian government has been grateful for us since we have nothing to do in foreign land. It is difficult to return to our country.”
Another returnee Tewodros added, “I suffered and paid a lot. However, I haven’t got anything but it is good to go back and stay in my county.
Minister Ergoge Tesfaye (PhD) noted that the government has different plans for the returnees. Accordingly, admitting them to rehabilitation centers, reuniting with their family, giving different vocational training are few among the plans. This would benefit the Undocumented Migrants coming from Saudi Arabia.
To sum up, the Ethiopian government’s effort to return migrants from Saudi Arabia and Middle East countries through implementing citizen-centered diplomacy should be valued and continued since Ethiopian Diasporas are still facing different problems in their respective countries.
The Ethiopian Herald June 29/2021
