Britain’s foreign minister said she would use a visit to Ethiopia on Monday to focus on measures aimed at curbing the rising number of migrants from the Horn of Africa attempting to reach the United Kingdom.
Yvette Cooper said the visit would centre on tackling the root causes of irregular migration, particularly unemployment and economic insecurity, which continue to drive people to leave Ethiopia and neighbouring countries. She said Britain was looking to expand job creation and skills partnerships with Ethiopia as a way to offer young people viable opportunities at home and reduce the incentive to undertake dangerous migration journeys.
“Long term solutions must be about giving people real prospects where they live,” Cooper said, adding that economic development and employment pathways were essential to addressing migration pressures in a sustainable way.
Alongside economic measures, the foreign minister stressed the importance of stronger cooperation on law enforcement. She said Britain would work more closely with Ethiopian authorities to disrupt migrant smuggling networks that profit from irregular migration routes through North Africa and across the Mediterranean. Enhanced cooperation would also aim to improve information sharing, border management and the speed of returning migrants who have no legal right to remain in the UK.
Migration from the Horn of Africa has increased in recent years, driven by conflict, climate related shocks such as drought, and limited economic opportunities. Many migrants face extreme risks, including exploitation by traffickers, abuse and death along migration routes.
British officials say Ethiopia is a key partner in the region due to its size, strategic position and influence, and that cooperation with Addis Ababa is critical to any broader effort to manage migration flows from East Africa.
Cooper’s visit comes as the UK government faces sustained domestic pressure to reduce irregular migration and demonstrate greater control over its borders. Officials say engagement with source and transit countries, alongside domestic reforms, is central to the government’s migration strategy.
During the visit, the foreign minister is also expected to hold talks with Ethiopian leaders on regional stability, development cooperation and humanitarian challenges affecting the Horn of Africa, underscoring Britain’s broader diplomatic and security interests in the region.
Leave a comment