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Ethiopia will repatriate some 70,000 of its nationals living in Saudi Arabia starting early April.

State Minister Birtukan Ayano said the repatriation, the third such programme since 2018, will target “Ethiopians who are in a difficult situation”.

During the announcement last week the minister didn’t specify whether the returnees have been living in Saudi Arabia legally.

Regional administrations are expected to ensure the returnees resettle in their native home areas.

According to a government dispatch, repatriation expenses will include flight tickets, temporary holding at transition centres in Addis Ababa and some money to restart life.

Ethiopia currently hosts about 917,000 refugees from neighbouring countries such as Yemen.