At least 16 people are confirmed dead and 28 remain missing after a migrant boat capsized off the coast of Djibouti, according to the UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM) on Tuesday.
This tragedy comes just two weeks after another vessel carrying mainly Ethiopian migrants sank in the same area, claiming the lives of dozens more.
Both incidents occurred on the perilous Eastern Migration Route, a pathway for Africans seeking to reach the Middle East.
The latest vessel, carrying 77 migrants including children, reportedly capsized off the coast of Godoria in northeastern Djibouti on Monday night.
The IOM’s local branch is assisting Djiboutian authorities in search and rescue efforts.
“On their journeys, many face life-threatening dangers including starvation, health risks and exploitation,” the IOM noted in a February statement, highlighting the harsh realities migrants confront on this route.
Rising Tide of Migration
The IOM reports a rise in attempted crossings along the Eastern Route, with Ethiopians constituting the vast majority.
Driven by conflict, drought, and limited economic opportunities at home, these migrants face a desperate struggle to reach Yemen, hoping to eventually reach Saudi Arabia.
According to the IOM, 2023 saw nearly 100,000 migrants arrive in Yemen from Djibouti or Somalia, with Ethiopians making up 79% of that total.
Ethiopia’s Plight
Ethiopia, Africa’s second most populous nation, grapples with ongoing conflicts and severe droughts in several regions. This has resulted in a significant portion of its population relying on food aid.
The IOM’s Missing Migrants Project estimates that at least 698 people perished last year attempting to cross the Gulf of Aden from Djibouti to Yemen.
These figures include women and children, highlighting the human cost of this desperate migration trend.
The recent boat disaster off Djibouti underscores the urgency of addressing the root causes of migration in East Africa, while also ensuring proper support for search and rescue operations and safe passage for those most vulnerable.
