Ethiopians in Eritrea face repatriation

The Eritrean government has started moves to expel thousands of Ethiopians from its capital, Asmara, and send them back to Ethiopia.

The Eritrean authorities have said that all Ethiopians must register for repatriation as soon as possible.

But the programme is said to be voluntary and only people wishing to go will be included.

The two countries have been at war for the past two years and at the beginning of the conflict Ethiopia expelled seventy-thousand Eritreans.

There are an estimated forty-thousand Ethiopians in Asmara -- many of whom have lived there all their lives.

The city's mayor has said he cannot guarantee their safety.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service