All Ethiopian nationals being held in jails in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are due to be released soon. This decision follows a meeting between Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and UAE Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed in Abu Dhabi over the weekend.
PM Abiy crossed to UAE after what government said was a successful visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – his first trip outside of the continent. In Dubai as in Riyadh, the two leaders discussed issues of mutual interest and looked at ways to better strengthen bilateral relations. Whiles in Saudi, PM Abiy also secured the release of 1000 Ethiopian prisoners – comprising 900 men and 100 women. Close to 700 of that contingent have since been flown back to Addis Ababa.
The decision was made after a request by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who was in Riyadh on an official two-day visit that ended on Saturday. Hundreds of thousands of Ethiopian nationals live in the Gulf region, mostly in Saudi Arabia.
More than 1,000 Ethiopian prisoners freed by Saudi Arabia have already returned home.
The Ministry of Foreign affairs, in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), transported the returnees to their families.
Recently, the government of Sudan released about 1,400 Ethiopian prisoners following the visit of the Premier to that country.
