File Photo- Reuters

A bilateral amnesty program between Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia in respect of Ethiopians illegally resident in the oil-rich Gulf nation expires today after a months’ extension elapsed.

The process till this stage has involved the issuing of the initial 90-day amnesty – during which time authorities in Addis Ababa expressed worry over the slow rate of return. At a point there was a huge return then an extension of 30-days was granted.

This effectively means that Saudi can now resort to forcible deportation and imprisonment of persons who failed to take the program and to return home.

It is better if our citizens come back home before various problems arise seizing the opportunity they are given even in the remaining short period.