The 99 illegal immigrants detained by Tanzanian immigration officers and local police have turned out to be Ethiopian civilians instead of previously alleged Somali militiamen.

The Tanzania ministry for home affairs said in a press statement, available on Wednesday, that after thorough investigation, the ministry had been found that the illegal immigrants are in fact Ethiopians.

"Earlier it was reported by different media outlets that the 99 illegal immigrants who were caught in Mbeya were Somali soldiers who were escaping war in their country," said the statement.

The 99 Ethiopians were stopped on April 23 in Songwe in Mbeya where they were travelling in a truck.

Tanzanian Home Affairs Minister Joseph Mungai has ordered the detainees to remain in remand until the governments of Tanzania and Ethiopia have decided on how to repatriate them.

Police investigations found out that these Ethiopians had been farmers, livestock animal keepers, students and shop owners who were fleeing their own country due to famine.

Source: Xinhua