Sudanese authorities have arrested hundreds of Ethiopian immigrants in a series of raid operations in the capital Khartoum last week.

The arrests are part of the crackdown the authorities have launched against immigrants that they accuse of entering the country illegally or working without proper permits, the Voice of America’s Amharic service reported.

Some Ethiopian immigrants contacted by the VOA said that the random and brutal raid was carried out against Ethiopian nationals, including those authorized to work and who have lived for several years in the country.

Ethiopian Ambassador to Sudan, Shiferaw Jarso confirmed on Thursday that hundreds of Ethiopian immigrants were jailed this past week in Khartoum, Omdurman Prison, according to VOA. He also said that heavy financial penalties are being imposed upon the immigrants by improperly and quickly conducted trials. Some are asked to pay from 50-100 thousand Junaih, an issue that he has brought to the attention of Sudanese officials, he said. The Ambassador said he held a meeting with the Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok who expressed his sympathy with the plight of the immigrants and promised to discuss the matter with relevant bodies and stop the crackdown.

Shiferaw strenuously objected to complaints about the embassy’s failure to provide assistance to the immigrants. He said some of the arrested Ethiopians had not heeded consular advice to regularize their papers.

It is not clear what prompted the move but Sudan has long been a key transit route for thousands of immigrants, especially those arriving from Ethiopia and  Eritrea.

Photo: Shiferaw Jarso in a meeting with the Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok