Ethiopia, IOM agree to expand collaboration to optimize repatriation efforts

Addis Ababa, June 21, 2022 (FBC) – Ethiopian Ambassador to Djibouti, Berhanu Tsegaye, received Eugenio Ambrosi, Chief of Staff of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and Stéphanie Daviot, Chief of Mission of IOM in Djibouti in his office, where they had discussions on ways to strengthen and enhance efforts to repatriate vulnerable Ethiopian migrants.

During the meeting, Ambassador Berhanu Tsegaye praised IOM for its cooperation in repatriating Ethiopians who had migrated along the Ethiopia-Djibouti-Yemen Route.

He also noted that the number of Ethiopians Migrants seeking to enter the country under the organization’s repatriation program is high, emphasizing the importance of continued collaboration between the Ethiopian government and the IOM.

Referencing the IOM headquarters in Geneva’s position in barring some migrants from entering their country and participating in the organization’s repatriation program, citing security concerns in some parts of Ethiopia, the Ambassador urged the organization to reconsider its position as it does not take into account the government’s ongoing peace-building efforts.

Eugenio Ambrosi, for his part, appreciated Ethiopia’s continuous efforts in conjunction with the IOM to return migrants to various parts of the country and reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to expediting its numerous initiatives to assist vulnerable migrants.

The Ethiopian Embassy and the IOM office in Djibouti jointly agreed to expand their collaboration in order to optimize repatriation efforts.