The African Development Bank (AfDB) has made the decision to pull out all its international staff from Ethiopia, citing the lack of a satisfactory resolution from the Ethiopian government regarding the assault on two of its international members of staff. This decision comes after an internal memorandum, circulated among the bank’s staff and seen by Addis Standard, highlighted the ongoing concerns stemming from the assault incident on 31 October 2023.
In a statement, Akinwumi Adesina, president of the AfDB, expressed the bank’s unease, stating, “We remain particularly concerned that the Ethiopian government has, to date, not shared with us any report or details of investigations into this gross infringement.”
The assault, which occurred on 31 October 2023, involved the unlawful arrest, physical assault, and prolonged detention of two AfDB staff members by Ethiopian security forces, without any official explanation. This incident prompted the AfDB to formally engage with the Ethiopian government, seeking a full and transparent investigation into the matter.
Despite these efforts, engagements, and a high-level delegation assessment, the AfDB remains unsatisfied with the current situation, with concerns lingering about the safety and security of its employees in Ethiopia.
The bank emphasized that the assault on its staff members constituted a gross violation of their personal diplomatic immunities, rights, and privileges under the Bank’s Host Country Agreement with Ethiopia.
It’s essential to note that while the withdrawal of international staff is underway, the AfDB’s office in Ethiopia will continue its operations under an Officer-in-Charge, and this decision will not impact the locally recruited Ethiopian staff.
Addressing the media, Ambassador Meles Alem, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, remarked that the incident hadn’t led to the closure of the bank’s office and reassured that the relationship between the AfDB and the Ethiopian government remained intact.
As this story unfolds, the Ethiopian government’s response to these developments remains a focal point, with Ambassador Meles Alem yet to provide a comment on the latest events.
The withdrawal of international staff from Ethiopia marks a significant development in the ongoing aftermath of the assault incident, shaping the dynamics of the relationship between the AfDB and the Ethiopian government.
