Aden (South24) 

---

Observers said that the Egyptian authorities' decision to complicate the travel of Yemenis to the country came after statements by Yemeni Foreign Minister Ahmed bin Mubarak from the Ethiopian capital city Addis Ababa.

Observers residing in Egypt who spoke to "South24 Center" considered that the statements of the Yemeni official during his visit to Ethiopia on March 20 may have led to the imposition of new restrictions for the entry of Yemenis to Egypt, including obtaining visas in advance and reducing the length of stay.

During a meeting with his Ethiopian counterpart, Bin Mubarak affirmed "the solidarity of the Republic of Yemen and its support for all the steps taken by the Ethiopian government in order to move the wheel of development..." according to the Yemeni Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

Bin Mubarak's visit and his recent statements came in light of the strained Egyptian-Ethiopian relations due to the conflict of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and Cairo's fears over its water security.

In a memorandum, which was seen by "South24 Center", the Egyptian Ministry of Interior approved a number of measures regarding the entry of Yemenis. The memorandum included the requirement that Yemenis coming directly to Egypt for treatment obtain documented medical reports.

It was also stipulated that all Yemeni nationals between the ages of 16-50 arriving in Egypt accompanied by exempt parents over 50 years of age obtain prior entry visas to the country.

The memorandum referred to obligating all Yemenis between the ages of 16 and 50 to obtain an entry visas in advance, with security approval, for Yemeni nationals residing in the European Union, the United States and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

"South24 Center" did not verify with Egyptian authorities or relevant diplomatic sources about Egypt's recent decision and its connection to Bin Mubarak's statements. However, an official at the Yemeni embassy in Cairo confirmed the new changes that Egypt had taken.

In a statement, the Embassy of Yemen in Cairo said that the new procedures for regulating entry and residence in Egypt included all residents of various nationalities.