Djibouti Launches Crackdown on Illegal Immigration, Arrests 3,000

INA-source

The government of Djibouti has launched a major campaign to combat illegal immigration, citing security and public health concerns. In a televised address, Interior Minister Said Nouh Hassan announced two operations to control the influx of foreigners into the country, which has become one of the busiest migration routes in the Horn of Africa. The minister said that Djibouti was “saturated” with the influx of people from neighboring countries and called on illegal immigrants to leave the country voluntarily.

Under the new regulations, illegal foreigners engaged in informal activities will be registered, and their employers will be required to provide them with a movement document. However, those without activity are being asked to leave the country immediately and voluntarily to their country of origin. Illegal immigrants have 30 days to comply with the new rules.

Authorities arrest 3,000

A source reports that about 3,000 people were arrested on Sunday as part of the crackdown. The security forces carried out an emergency operation to combat crime and trafficking of illicit products observed in a sector of Djibouti city. According to Interior Minister Said Nouh Hassan, 220,000 migrants arrived “illegally” in Djibouti in 2022 alone, and a “fairly large number” of them remained in the country each year.

Source-bnn