April 3, 2025
By: Getahun Tsegaye
Staff Reporter
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Driven by desperation and the promise of a better life, thousands of young Ethiopians are embarking on treacherous journeys through Kenya, Tanzania, and Zambia, aiming for South Africa. However, the dream often turns into a nightmare, with many facing unimaginable hardships, imprisonment, or even death along the way, DW reported.
Tadios Abebe, from Hadero Woreda, embodies the agonizing uncertainty faced by families left behind. He hasn’t heard from his son, Ephrem, in over a year since he set out on this perilous route. “We waited with anticipation, expecting him to call day or night. But we haven’t even heard his voice,” Tadios laments. Ephrem, like many others, vanished after reaching Zambia, leaving his family in a state of perpetual anxiety.
The Kembata and Hadiya zones have become major departure points for these migrants. A study revealed that between 2016 and 2018, an estimated 300,000 Ethiopians made this dangerous journey. While some find success, many perish in remote forests, fall victim to wildlife, or end up imprisoned in foreign lands.
Bereket Abebe, a survivor of this harrowing experience, spent six years in a Zambian prison. He describes Chimbo Kalila Prison as “hell,” a place where inmates faced brutal conditions and a high mortality rate. “If you don’t see someone in the morning, you can be almost certain they have died,” he recalls.
The root cause of this mass exodus lies in the severe lack of economic opportunities. Ashenafi Lalago, a labor expert, points to rampant unemployment and inadequate support for entrepreneurship as primary drivers. “Even university graduates are now joining the migration wave,” he explains. He also highlights the role of brokers who exploit desperate families, often convincing them to sell their homes to finance the journey.
Despite awareness campaigns, the allure of South Africa has become deeply ingrained in the local culture. “In this area, migration is considered a rite of passage,” says Bereket. He notes that even those deported often attempt the journey again, highlighting the desperation fueling these dangerous choices.
While authorities acknowledge the need to expand employment opportunities, they also recognize that migration is a complex issue. Until tangible solutions are found, families like Tadios’ will continue to cling to hope, haunted by the uncertainty of their loved ones’ fate. “I am waiting for my son, Ephrem,” Tadios says. “I believe that God will help me, and one day, my son will come back. I haven’t even rented out his bedroom to anyone else.”
In an effort to combat this perilous trend, the Ethiopian government has recently taken steps to address human trafficking and promote safe migration. In March, the Ministry of Justice, with the support of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), launched the country’s first National Anti-Trafficking Hotline. Simultaneously, the government unveiled two strategic documents: the National Communication Strategy to Prevent Irregular Migration and Promote Regular Pathways (2025-2029) and the Joint Strategic Plan (2025-2029) between IOM and the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs (MoWSA).
The National Communication Strategy aims to harmonize messaging and raise awareness about the risks of irregular migration, providing clear information about safe migration alternatives and local opportunities. This strategy was developed with IOM support and funding from the Netherlands.
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