Death Row Diplomacy: Why Ethiopia’s Silence is Killing Its Own Citizens

A call for urgent diplomatic intervention and public awareness

By Ethiopian Tribune Columnist

In the stark confines of Najiran prison, near Saudi Arabia’s border with Yemen, at least 43 Ethiopian nationals await their fate on death row. Their crime: drug trafficking charges that carry the ultimate penalty in the Kingdom. As families back home hold their breath and diplomats remain conspicuously silent, these men have been told to “say their goodbyes” as executions could commence “any day.”

The Grim Reality

The numbers paint a harrowing picture. According to testimonies from inmates and their families, 43 Ethiopians and 13 Somalis currently face imminent execution at Najiran prison alone. Over the past month, at least six convicts have already been beheaded, marking a resumption of Saudi Arabia’s capital punishment for drug offences after an unofficial moratorium was lifted in 2021.

This represents just the tip of the iceberg. Saudi Arabia executed over 300 people last year a record tally with 100 executions documented by May 2024 alone. Amnesty International has documented at least 52 executions for drug-related offences from January to April, with many involving foreign nationals from the Horn of Africa.

Personal Accounts: The Human Cost

The case of 27-year-old Khalid Mohammed Ibrahim illustrates the tragic trajectory many of these men have followed. A participant in Ethiopia’s 2016 Oromo protests, Ibrahim fled persecution and limited opportunities in his homeland, seeking a better life for his pregnant wife and unborn child. Instead, he was detained immediately upon arrival in Saudi Arabia in 2018 and sentenced to death in October 2019 after 11 court appearances.

“He wanted to afford a better life for his son, but [the government] closed all opportunities for him,” his brother Muleta told investigators. “That is why he left Ethiopia.” Ibrahim has never met his eight-year-old son.

According to testimonies from inmates, torture and beatings are commonplace at Najiran prison. The psychological torment extends beyond the prison walls, with families describing their ordeal as “hell” as they watch helplessly whilst their loved ones await execution.

The Dangerous Path: How Migrants Fall into the Trap

Many of these men were not career criminals but desperate migrants seeking economic opportunities. Ibrahim’s case reveals a particularly insidious aspect of the crisis: he was allegedly encouraged by a border guard to falsely confess to drug smuggling, told it would expedite his court case since there was no evidence against him. Instead, this false confession became the foundation for his death sentence.

Research by the European Saudi Organisation for Human Rights reveals that executions have expanded to include hashish possession and smuggling, not just harder drugs like amphetamines or cocaine. This broadening of capital offences has caught many migrants unaware of the severe consequences.

Warning Signs and Prevention:

• Migrants must understand that any involvement with drugs, however minor or coerced, can result in execution
• False confessions or admissions under duress can be used as evidence
• The lack of proper legal representation and translation services leaves many vulnerable
• Economic desperation should never override awareness of extreme legal consequences

Diplomatic Failure and the Need for Action

Perhaps most troubling is the apparent inaction of Ethiopian diplomatic missions. The Ethiopian Embassy in Saudi Arabia has been criticised for its historical pattern of covering up the suffering of Ethiopians within the Saudi judicial system. Multiple attempts to reach Ambassador Muktar Kedir Abdu and the Ethiopian Foreign Ministry for comment have gone unanswered.

This stands in stark contrast to Somalia’s response. Intense media coverage and family campaigning have prompted the Somali government to openly appeal to Saudi authorities for leniency. Hiiraan Online, a Somali news outlet, has extensively covered the plight of Somalis on death row, helping to spur diplomatic engagement and international attention.

A Call for Coordinated Action

The Ethiopian government, civil society, and the international community must act urgently on multiple fronts:

Government Action:

• The Ethiopian government must immediately engage with Saudi authorities at the highest levels
• Diplomatic pressure should be applied for prisoner transfers or commutation of sentences
• A comprehensive review of consular services and legal aid for Ethiopian nationals abroad is essential
• Public awareness campaigns about the risks of drug trafficking must be implemented

NGO and Civil Society Role:

• Human rights organisations must amplify these cases through international advocacy
• Legal aid organisations should provide support for appeals and clemency petitions
• Community groups must educate potential migrants about the extreme risks
• Media outlets must maintain pressure through consistent reporting

Family and Community Mobilisation:

• Families must organise and coordinate their advocacy efforts
• Social media campaigns can raise international awareness
• Community leaders should engage with government officials
• Religious organisations can provide both advocacy and support

Influencer and Media Responsibility:

• Public figures must use their platforms to highlight this crisis
• Media coverage should focus on systemic issues, not just individual cases
• Educational content about migration risks must reach vulnerable communities
• International media partnerships can amplify the message globally

The Broader Context

This crisis reflects broader issues of migration, economic opportunity, and human rights. Many of these men left Ethiopia due to political persecution, limited opportunities, or economic hardship. Their tragic circumstances underscore the need for comprehensive approaches to address root causes of migration whilst protecting those who have already left.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 reform programme aims to soften the Kingdom’s conservative image ahead of hosting the 2034 FIFA World Cup. This presents an opportunity for diplomatic pressure, as international scrutiny of human rights practices intensifies.

Urgent Action Required

Over 30 rights groups have published an open letter calling on Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to commute the death sentences of over 100 Ethiopians, Egyptians, and Somalis. The Ethiopian government and civil society must join this chorus of international condemnation.

Time is running out for the 43 Ethiopian men at Najiran prison and dozens more across Saudi Arabia’s detention facilities. Their families have spent years pleading for help that has not come. Their government has remained largely silent. Their stories have been ignored by much of the international community.

This is not just a tragedy; it is a test of Ethiopia’s commitment to its citizens abroad and its standing in the international community. The government must act now, before more families receive the devastating news that their loved ones have paid the ultimate price for seeking a better life.

The choice is clear: urgent diplomatic action or silent complicity in preventable deaths. Ethiopia cannot afford to choose silence.

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The Ethiopian Tribune calls upon all readers to contact their representatives, share these stories, and demand action from the Ethiopian government. These are not just statistics, they are sons, brothers, and fathers whose lives hang in the balance whilst we debate and delay.