CEOAFRICA gathered that about 23,000 Ethiopians have surrendered to Saudi authorities since a clampdown on illegal migrant workers began in the oil-rich kingdom last week.

This is coming from Ethiopia's ambassador in Riyadh, Muhammed Hassan Kabiera, who said the embassy had been informed by Saudi officials of the development.

The clampdown has led to clashes in the capital, Riyadh, with at least five people killed.

Saudi authorities say they are trying to reduce the 12% unemployment rate among native Saudis.

An estimated nine million migrant workers are said to be in Saudi Arabia and are said to make up more than half the workforce, filling manual, clerical and service jobs.

However some of them have already been repatriated, with the first group arriving in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa, on Wednesday