The African Development Bank Group has made the decision to immediately withdraw all of its international staff from Ethiopia, following a serious breach of diplomatic protocol and assault on two of its members by Ethiopian security forces.
On October 31, 2023, two Addis Ababa-based staff members were unlawfully arrested, physically assaulted, and detained without charge or official explanation.
This incident represented a clear violation of their diplomatic immunities, rights, and privileges under the African Development Bank Group’s Host Country Agreement with the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.
Upon learning of the incident, African Development Bank President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina swiftly contacted the highest levels of the Ethiopian government, leading to the release of the two staff members.
Despite efforts to address the situation, the Bank’s subsequent delegation to Addis Ababa on November 22 revealed that the matter had not been satisfactorily resolved.
READ MORE: Fake Drink Factories Busted: Major Arrests in Lagos and Abia
In an official statement, Dr. Adesina expressed concern that the Ethiopian government had not shared any report or details of investigations into the incident.
He emphasized the need for a transparent investigation and the sharing of findings to ensure the safety and security of the Bank’s personnel.
Dr. Adesina stated, “the assessment from the Bank’s delegation indicates that the situation is still not yet resolved in a satisfactory manner. It also does not provide full confidence that all the African Development Bank’s employees feel safe and secure to carry out their duties and move around the country without fear of harassment.”
“The African Development Bank remains particularly concerned that the Ethiopian government has, to date, not shared with the Bank any report, or details of investigations into the incident,” he added.
“The October incident continues to cause much anxiety across the African Development Bank Group and especially among staff at the Ethiopia country office. The incident has also raised concerns among the Bank’s shareholders, other multilateral development banks, international financial institutions, the broader diplomatic community, and other stakeholders.”
As a precautionary measure, the bank president emphasised that, the African Development Bank has decided that its international staff in Ethiopia will work remotely from outside the country until the government’s investigation is transparently shared with the Bank.
Adesina underscored the Bank’s commitment to supporting Ethiopia’s socioeconomic development but warned that the incident could negatively impact the Bank’s continued operations and future presence in the country if not fully resolved.
The Bank’s ongoing portfolio in Ethiopia, as of September 30, 2023, includes 22 projects totaling $1.24 billion.
“While the Bank appreciates the excellent relations it has with Ethiopia until this egregious incident, its continued operations and future presence in the country could be negatively affected if the incident is not fully resolved,” Adesina concluded.