DODOMA, 27 January, 2021, (TON): Tanzanian President, John Pombe Magufuli pardoned and the release of 1789 Ethiopian illegal migrants.

The decision was made after a diplomatic meeting on Monday between Magufuli and Ethiopian Prsident Sahle-Work Zewde.

"Ethiopians can go home today if they want to. There are no conditions for the release of the foreigners who lacked proper travel documents,” Magufuli ordered.

Ethiopians are seeking jobs and political asylum in many other countries and are moving in thousands in number.

In order to reach South Africa, many have used the Tanzania route, despite the dangers of getting arrested by authorities in their respective countries.

EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa and similar organizations have proven to be helpful in securing the release of Ethiopian migrants and safeguarded their employment as well.

In early 2020, 13 Ethiopians were arrested by the Kenyan authorities for illegal entry across the border. Previously, another 22 Ethiopian nationals were arrested in Kenya while being smuggled through Nairobi.

Human smugglers also arrested as they were transporting several Ethiopians to Tanzania, Kenyan Police reported.

The vastness of the region between Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Uganda has attributed to the influx of Ethiopian illegal migrants to other regions. Refugee rights organizations and aid agencies have blamed extreme poverty in Africa for the rising number of illegal immigration.