Ethiopia

Ethiopia threatens visa restrictions in retaliation to EU actions

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed during the 19th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Non-Aligned Movement on January 19-20, 2024. (Photo: X/ Abiy Ahmed)

By Mwangi Maina | Monday, May 13, 2024

Tensions between Ethiopia and the European Union have reached new levels following the EU's recent decision to tighten visa issuance procedures for Ethiopians.

In response, Addis Ababa has threatened to implement similar measures if the EU does not reconsider its stance.

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Speaking on behalf of the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, spokesperson Nebiyu Tedla emphasised Ethiopia's desire for the EU to rescind its visa restrictions, warning of reciprocal actions if necessary.

He highlighted Ethiopia's commitment to diplomatic relations while expressing disagreement with the EU's visa policy.

The EU's decision stems from concerns over the repatriation of Ethiopian refugees who have sought asylum in Europe.

Despite repeated requests for cooperation from Ethiopian authorities, the response has been deemed insufficient, prompting the EU's visa-tightening measures.

"Adjustments"

Nebiyu clarified that the visa changes are not a blanket ban, but rather adjustments aimed at streamlining the application process.

However, he criticised the EU's approach as inappropriate, highlighting Ethiopia's position on the dignified and safe repatriation of its citizens.

Efforts to address the repatriation issue include discussions on establishing a national committee to facilitate returns from European countries.

Investigation activities have been conducted in several EU member states to verify the citizenship of individuals identified for repatriation.

Challenges arise in confirming citizenship due to shared cultural, linguistic, and religious characteristics among individuals from the Horn of Africa region.

While the process is ongoing, only a fraction of those identified as Ethiopians by the EU have been confirmed as such.

Despite these efforts, tensions persist, with Ethiopia asserting the need for respectful dialogue and cooperation from the EU.