The United Kingdom's Minister for Commonwealth Development and Foreign Affairs, Vicky Ford, has been reported to have focused on the issue of refugees during her visit to Ethiopia.

According to a report by Reuters, the Minister stated in their briefing following the visit to Ethiopia that they are taking measures to address the increasing number of refugees from Africa, as they prepare to welcome more refugees into the UK.

The Minister emphasized in their statement that the collaboration between labor creation and legal enforcement is crucial for managing the number of refugees seeking entry into the UK.

The collaboration for job creation aims to prevent individuals from being displaced from their countries; a robust enforcement of the law also serves to protect individuals from human trafficking and facilitates a swift process for undocumented migrants to return to their home countries, as stated by the Minister.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed also highlighted in a post on social media on Sunday, January 31, 2026, that he had discussions with Minister Yvette Cooper regarding two pressing issues.

Yvette Cooper addressed the issue of migrants, stating that they are being sent back to Ethiopia from their respective countries, including the United Kingdom and the United States, and emphasized the various measures being taken to combat illegal migration during this critical time.