Ethiopians leave Djibouti
2003-08-30 20:13
Addis Ababa - At least 1 000 Ethiopians, among thousands of illegal immigrants expelled from Djibouti, arrived home in Ethiopia on Saturday a day ahead of a deadline for them to leave the tiny Horn of Africa nation.
"Today alone, at least 1 000 people arrived at Dire Dawa by train from Djibouti," an officer in the town told AFP by telephone.
"Both young and old Ethiopians arrived carrying small possessions," said the officer, who pointed out that government officials were expecting more than 30 000 people to return home.
The latest arrivals are among thousands of illegal immigrants, mostly from Ethiopia and Somalia, who are leaving Djibouti voluntarily, ahead of the expiry on Sunday of a deadline issued by the Djibouti government.
Officials have justified the forced exodus on security and economic grounds.
The police official, who requested anonymity, said that in the past three weeks, between 10 000 and 15 000 Ethiopians had returned home, most of them using personal transport.
The government only stepped in eight days ago and was now paying for their transport.
Some immigrants said that they fled Djibouti almost empty-handed, apart from a few personal possessions.
Djibouti authorities said that after Sunday, police would begin rounding up immigrants and deporting them.
- AFP