The African Development Bank (AfDB) announced today that it is withdrawing all international staff from Ethiopia following a serious incident in October where two of its employees were “unlawfully arrested, physically assaulted, and detained for hours” by Ethiopian security forces.
The bank, headquartered in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, confirmed the incident in a statement, calling it a “gross violation” of the diplomatic immunities, rights, and privileges of its staff.
The statement did not identify the victims but confirmed that the bank’s Ethiopia director, Abdul Kamara, was reportedly among them.
“The situation is still not yet resolved in a satisfactory manner,” said AfDB president Akinwumi Adesina.
“The Ethiopian government has not shared any report or details of investigations into the incident with the Bank, and our staff in Ethiopia do not currently feel safe.”
While local staff will remain in the country to manage existing operations, the AfDB’s withdrawal represents a significant escalation of tensions between the institution and the Ethiopian government.
The bank is a key financial player in Africa, providing billions in loans and grants for development projects. In Ethiopia alone, the AfDB has invested over $1.2 billion in 22 projects as of September 2023.
The incident has sparked concerns about the deteriorating security situation in Ethiopia, where a two-year civil war continues to devastate the country. The AfDB’s withdrawal could also impact future development projects in the country, potentially hindering the already fragile economic recovery efforts.
The Ethiopian government has yet to comment publicly on the incident or the AfDB’s decision. The bank has called for a “swift and transparent investigation” into the incident and for guarantees of the safety and security of its staff in Ethiopia.
The AfDB’s withdrawal is a significant development that could have far-reaching consequences for Ethiopia’s development prospects and its relationship with the international community. It remains to be seen how this situation will be resolved and what impact it will have on the country’s future.
