By: Getahun Tsegaye
Staff Reporter
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia- More than 700 Ethiopians detained in a military-run facility in Myanmar are pleading for urgent help, fearing they could soon fall back into the hands of the traffickers who first lured them into the country with false promises of employment.
Originally targeted by criminal networks running internet scams, the Ethiopians had been told they were being offered well-paying jobs abroad—mostly in Asia. Instead, they were smuggled into countries like Myanmar and forced to work in cybercrime compounds controlled by armed groups. Their roles involved scamming social media users for up to 16 hours a day, leading to severe emotional, mental, and even physical health issues. Some, according to reports from local media Addis Fortune, developed kidney complications due to the stress and overwork.
Their ordeal did not end when they were freed from those compounds. Though some were rescued by local armed opposition groups, many were transferred to military detention centers, where they now face deteriorating conditions and renewed danger. “We are more than 700,” one young Ethiopian detainee told Deutsche Welle, describing their situation as “extremely distressing.” He said they are frequently threatened with being returned to the scam compounds. “We are living in fear,” he added.
Another detainee explained that the ongoing armed conflict in Myanmar has made things worse. “This is a heavy war zone,” he said. “The armed group that’s holding us is fighting with another force. Some days, the fighting gets very close to where we are.” He also expressed deep concern that if the military detaining them retreats or is defeated, another group could take control of the facility and use the migrants for forced labor or even military purposes.
Their calls for help have become increasingly desperate. Some of the detainees were reportedly injured in a recent earthquake and have received no medical attention. “We are not safe here,” one said. “We need to get out before it’s too late.”
In March, Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the successful repatriation of 130 citizens from Myanmar via Thailand, a process coordinated with its embassy in India. But many more remain stranded. A parent-led committee advocating for their release told Addis Fortune that over 270 Ethiopians are confirmed to be held in Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia. The real number, however, could be much higher—some estimates suggest up to 3,000 Ethiopians are trapped in cyber-fraud operations across the region.
Myanmar itself is engulfed in conflict. Since the military coup in 2021, the country has become a battleground between government forces and various ethnic armed groups such as the Arakan Army, Kachin Independence Army, and the People’s Defense Forces. Many of the scam centers that once operated freely in areas like Shan State have been raided, but the collapse of central authority has left victims in legal and physical limbo. Many, including Ethiopians, are stuck in detention or again at the mercy of armed factions.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has flagged Ethiopia as one of the largest sources of irregular migration in the region. Tens of thousands attempt dangerous journeys every year, especially along the Eastern Corridor through Djibouti, Somalia, and Yemen toward the Gulf. Young men make up the majority, but women and even unaccompanied minors are increasingly part of these flows. In 2023 alone, over 100,000 Ethiopians were deported from Saudi Arabia. Many return in devastating condition, both physically and mentally, and with few reintegration options at home, some attempt the journey again.
Recently in April, the Ethiopian government announced that 3,367 Ethiopians who had been in difficult situations in Saudi Arabia returned to their country this week. This was reported by the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs.
All of the citizens who returned on the nine flights conducted during the week were men. Among those who returned, there are 18 minors under the age of eighteen.
As part of the fourth round of the repatriation operation—which aims to bring back 50,000 citizens in distress—15,684 Ethiopians have been returned since the program began in March.
Many of these individuals are part of a broader group of Ethiopian migrants who had been detained, stranded, or held in inhumane conditions in Saudi Arabia. According to human rights organizations, thousands of Ethiopian migrants—many of whom traveled to the Gulf in search of work—have ended up in overcrowded detention centers, facing poor sanitation, lack of access to healthcare, and abuse. These migrants often enter the country through irregular routes and without proper documentation, making them vulnerable to arrest and exploitation.
Adding to the confusion and risk, Ethiopia’s Ministry of Labour and Skills recently warned the public against social media advertisements claiming to offer legal jobs abroad, particularly in Canada and Europe. While the Ministry confirmed it is authorized to facilitate employment opportunities overseas, it stressed that no entity has been licensed to recruit for jobs in Europe or North America. “Unauthorized individuals are spreading false job offers, potentially leading to exploitation or trafficking,” the Ministry said. Citizens are urged to verify job offers only through the official platform, lmis.gov.et, to ensure their safety.
Efforts to obtain comment from Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the remaining nationals trapped in Myanmar were unsuccessful.
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