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Ethiopia’s detention of Egyptians escalates tensions between the two countries

Further tensions erupt between Addis Ababa and Cairo, as Egyptians are held in Ethiopia on their way to Kuwait, for traveling with a tourist visa.
An Ethiopian Airlines aeroplane is photographed at the Bole International Airport, in Addis Ababa, on March 17, 2020. (Photo by EDUARDO SOTERAS / AFP) (Photo by EDUARDO SOTERAS/AFP via Getty Images)

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. 

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