Jul 25 , 2026
The government is drafting a five-year national migration strategy intended to curb the country's long-standing, widespread human trafficking while safeguarding citizens' right to travel and work through regular channels. Scheduled for implementation from 2026-2031 after ratification, the plan would also strengthen accountability in migration management. The Ethiopian Government Law & Justice Services Sector's National Cooperation Office, operating under the Ministry of Justice, hosted a consultation forum on July 23 to gather feedback on the draft. More than 50 stakeholders representing federal and regional institutions participated. The forum highlighted the harms illegal migration causes citizens and stressed the need for coordinated action. The draft calls for collaboration to address deep-rooted human trafficking and support the resettlement of returning migrants. Once feedback from the consultation forums has been incorporated, the document is expected to be submitted to the National Migration Council for approval.