Adedapo Adesanya
By Adedapo Adesanya
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has decided to withdraw all its international staff from its headquarters in Ethiopia with immediate effect, following a breach of diplomatic protocol and assault by Ethiopian security forces on two of the bank’s international members of staff.
In a statement on Wednesday, Business Post learned the measure will not affect nationally recruited staff from Ethiopia who will continue their work and remain in full employment of the bank, adding that the office will remain open under an Officer-in-Charge.
For context, on October 31, 2023, two Addis Ababa-based staff were unlawfully arrested, physically assaulted, and detained for hours without charge or any official explanation.
According to the lender, “This was a gross 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.”
On learning of the incident, The President of the bank, Mr Akinwumi Adesina immediately contacted the highest levels of authority in the Ethiopian government, following which the bank’s two staff members were released.
After many diplomatic meetings and calls for investigation, Mr Adesina said, “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 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,” Mr Adesina added.
Mr Adesina said the incident has also raised concerns among its shareholders, other multilateral development banks, international financial institutions, the broader diplomatic community, and other stakeholders.
In response to the slow outcome, the bank’s international staff in Ethiopia will work remotely outside the country until the findings of the government investigations into the grave incident are transparently shared and full details of the measures taken to bring the guilty parties to book are made public.
He added that the AfDB remains committed to supporting the country’s socioeconomic development where it has invested up to $1.24 billion.
Mr Adesina, however, noted, “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.”
