Sudanese Facing Complicated Situations Due to Visa Renewal Fees in Ethiopia

Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia are facing increasingly complicated circumstances following new administrative changes by Ethiopian authorities regarding visa renewal fees and increased fines of $30 per day for violations.

In February, Ethiopian authorities announced an exemption for Sudanese nationals in Addis Ababa from visa renewal fees. However, this decision was reversed starting in October.

Under the new measures, violators from before February are subject to fines of $30 per day, while fines for October and November range between $5 and $10 daily.

The Ethiopian Refugee Commission has refused to open registration for Sudanese in Addis Ababa, insisting that registration can only occur in refugee camps. This contrasts with their policy allowing other communities, such as Yemenis and Syrians, to register in the capital.

A Sudanese refugee in Addis Ababa, who fled with his family after the war in Sudan, told Sudan Tribune that he lost an opportunity to work in Saudi Arabia because he could not afford the new fines, which have reached $3,000 for him and his family.

In response, the Sudanese Assembly in Addis Ababa—a civilian group of professionals and youth—expressed concern over the recent decisions by Ethiopian authorities. They appealed to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to revoke these measures, citing the harsh conditions faced by Sudanese in Addis Ababa.

Ismail Al-Taj, a member of the assembly, told Sudan Tribune that the new policies have caused significant anxiety among Sudanese. He urged the Ethiopian government to reconsider the revised fees, emphasizing the challenges refugees face in renewing their visas.

International law expert and lawyer Hatim Al-Sanhouri told Sudan Tribune that the first meeting of the Sudanese Assembly addressed plans to engage with the Ethiopian government to highlight the struggles of Sudanese refugees post-war.

The assembly also discussed efforts to end the war in Sudan, emphasizing the need to raise community awareness about halting conflicts, addressing root causes, promoting peace, combating hate speech, and exposing the practices of the de facto authorities.

Al-Sanhouri noted that the assembly aims to engage with regional and international bodies, as well as human rights organizations, to stop the war and hold its supporters accountable.

He further clarified that the assembly operates independently and prioritizes resolving the current crisis faced by Sudanese refugees following the adjustment of visa fines in Ethiopia.