The African Development Bank (AfDB) has announced that it is withdrawing all international staff from Ethiopia. This follows what the lender called a ‘serious diplomatic incident’ that saw AfDB staff attacked by government security forces; some were also taken hostage. AfDB withdraws staff from Ethiopia at a time when the East African nation is in dire need of international development partners.
As international or foreign staff proceed to work remotely for security reasons, the lender says the remaining local staff will continue working as usual under the pre-agreed contractual agreements. The lender has on-ground officers in charge of its Ethiopian office.
The lender details that on October 2023, two Addis Ababa-based staff were arrested, physically assaulted, and detained for hours without charge or any official explanation.
In November 2023, AfDB filed a formal complaint with Ethiopian authorities. The pan-African lender detailed the physical assault and hours-long detention of two of its employees. The AfDB withdraws staff from Ethiopia offices after what it called a “breach of diplomatic protocol and assault” by Ethiopian security forces on international members of staff.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed had intervened in a personal capacity to have the two AfDB staff freed; in a move that was seen as an attempt to salvage the quickly deteriorating relationship with Ethiopia’s primary development partner.
AfDB sought assurances from Ethiopian authorities on the security of its staff in Addis Ababa and publicly protested a fortnight after it happened.
It is alleged that the assault and detention of AfDB staff had been authorized by a senior government official who was annoyed with the nagging of the AfDB staff over accountability for some disbursed funds. The two senior staff had since been relocated as both sides sought avenues to calm the situation.
“This was a gross violation of their personal diplomatic immunities, rights, and privileges under AfDB Group’s Host Country Agreement with the government of Ethiopia,” the lender said in a statement.
AfDB President Dr Akinwumi Adesina had directly reached out to Ethiopian PM Dr Abiy after the incident, and followed it a high-level delegation to the capital on November 22.
“The assessment from the bank’s delegation indicates that the situation is still not yet resolved satisfactorily. It also does not provide full confidence that all the AfDB’s employees feel safe and secure to carry out their duties and move around the country without fear of harassment,” Adesina had said.
On its part, Ethiopia reportedly refused to share any report or details of investigations into the incident with the lender.
“The incident has also raised concerns among the bank’s shareholders, other multilateral development lenders, international financial institutions, the broader diplomatic community, and other stakeholders,” added Dr Adesina
The AfDB president reiterated that AfDB will do everything possible to ensure the safety and security of its personnel and the protection of their rights and privileges in the conduct of their work.
“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,” he said on the relationship with Ethiopia after the incident and subsequent non-compliance form investigators in sharing crucial details of their findings.
Following the sending of the delegation to the Ethiopian capital, Dr. Adesina said their assessment 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.
Ethiopian state finance minister Eyob Tekalign said his government regretted the incident.
In the statement posted on its website, the AfDB says its ongoing portfolio in Ethiopia comprised 22 projects totaling $1.24 billion as of Sept. 30, 2023. Its office in Addis Ababa will remain open, and the decision to withdraw international staff will not affect locally recruited employees.
Consequently, though, the lender has publicly provided few details about the incident.
The Ethiopian government did not immediately comment on the matter.
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Great move
Great move. Ethiopia mistreats international development partners