CAIRO — The Egyptian Embassy in Addis Ababa continues to communicate with the Ethiopian side to secure the release of a number of Egyptian citizens who were recently detained at Bole International Airport as they planned to return to Kuwait.

In an Oct. 30 statement, Egypt’s Ministry of Immigration and Egyptian Expatriates Affairs warned its citizens wishing to resume their work in any country, namely Kuwait, to be cautious about dealing with tourism companies and to travel only after ensuring the completion of all pertinent procedures, including the purchase of a flight ticket and obtention of a valid visa. Egyptian expatriates were also advised to check with the transit state in case of a two-week layover before heading to Kuwait. 

At the request of the Egyptian Embassy in Addis Ababa, the Ministry of immigration called upon citizens returning to Kuwait via Ethiopia to delay their travels until the embassy completes the procedures of the release of the 52 Egyptians that were detained and the coordination with the Ethiopian side regarding the quarantine applied in this case.

Following contacts with Ethiopian authorities, the embassy said that Egyptian citizens had come to Ethiopia for the purpose of staying 14 days there before heading to Kuwait, and not for tourism reasons as per the visa they had obtained in Cairo. Several Egyptians in Ethiopia also violated the quarantine instructions set by Addis Ababa to stem the coronavirus pandemic.