The journey to South Africa for many Ethiopians has become increasingly dangerous and exploitative, with tens of thousands making the treacherous “southern route” each year in search of economic opportunity.
In a recent incident, five young Ethiopian men were found wandering the streets of Johannesburg’s Mulbarton suburb, dressed only in their underwear. They were among 12 men arrested by South African police, who were allegedly being held captive by human smugglers demanding ransom from their families.
This case highlights the growing crisis faced by Ethiopian migrants, who are often subjected to horrific conditions and extortion at the hands of criminal gangs operating along the southern migration route. The UN’s International Organization for Migration estimates that as many as 200,000 Ethiopians now live in South Africa, having made the dangerous journey.
Yordanos Estifanos, who has researched the southern route, estimates that tens of thousands of Ethiopians arrive in South Africa each year, driven by a combination of poverty and the lure of economic opportunities. Many are from the Hosanna region in southern Ethiopia, where a former ambassador to South Africa is said to have facilitated migration.
The profile of the migrants has also shifted, with the journey now attracting more economically motivated individuals, rather than those fleeing political persecution. However, the route has become increasingly perilous, with rival gangs intercepting migrants and trading them, and the risk of injury and death remaining high.
Sahlu Abebe, who made the journey in 2015, recounts the harrowing experience of losing a friend who fell ill during the trek through Tanzania. He spent six months in a Malawian jail before eventually reaching Johannesburg, where he now works in a township spaza shop. Abebe says he would not recommend the journey to others, warning that “it is not safe.”
As the southern migration route becomes more dangerous and exploitative, the plight of Ethiopians seeking a better life in South Africa remains a pressing humanitarian concern. Authorities and international organizations must work to address the root causes of this crisis and provide safer, legal pathways for those in search of economic opportunity.