The government of Ethiopia has suspended visas on arrival for 42 countries in a move that took lots of travelers by surprise. With this development, many of the countries, especially African and South American countries will now have to obtain visas from Ethiopian embassies or consulates in their countries.
This was contained in a circular from Ethiopian Airlines titled: No More Visa on Arrival for Nigerian Citizens, it stated that, country must obtain visas from the Ethiopian Embassy in Abuja before embarking on the trip.
The statement reads,” Please be informed that effective immediate No More Visa on Arrival For Nigerian Citizens. Passengers are to obtain their Visa at Ethiopian Embassy in Abuja before traveling.
“Please note that: Passengers transiting overnight in Addis Ababa are not affected by the ban. E.g. Passengers having layover in Addis to travel the next morning to Zanzibar, Seychelles, Lusaka, Lilongwe, Harare, Cape Town, Etc are not affected by the ban and do not need transit visa for their trips.
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“Thank you for choosing Ethiopian Airlines.”
Unconfirmed sources say that this development may not be unconnected with reports of abuse and racketeering at the arrival in Ethiopia, coupled with heightened security challenges in recent times.
Interestingly, this is coming barely two weeks after the country’s flag carrier, Ethiopian Airlines acquired 49 percent majority stake in the Nigeria Air project.
It would be recalled that the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Governor, Godwin Emiefele, had urged home governments of foreign airlines flying into Nigeria to reciprocate by granting equal landing opportunities to Nigerian airlines to such countries, as means of reducing the pressure for foreign exchange.
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The Ethiopia government move has questioned the actual undertones of the partnership as well as Nigeria’s rule of reciprocity with regards both country’s Bilateral Air Services Agreement ( BASA) as no reason has been given for this ban.
Kelechi Deca
Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry