All international staff of the African Development Bank (AfDB) will now return to Ethiopia following a resolution of a serious diplomatic incident, according to a statement released by the Bank on January 19, 2024.
“Productive meetings” between AfDB President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed from December 29-31, 2023 yielded “positive results and an agreement over the issue.”
The Prime Minister issued formal apologies to the Bank on behalf of the Ethiopian government, according to the statement. He also assured the security and safety of Bank personnel and respect for staff privileges, immunities, and the host country agreement, added the AfDB.
The country also is expected to investigate the incident where two international staff were assaulted, sharing findings, and ensuring accountability. Ethiopia pledged to cooperate on probes into missing funds intended for the Bank.
In November 2023, the Bank lodged a formal complaint with Ethiopia after two of its international staff based in the country were severely assaulted by security agents. While a high-level mission visited Ethiopia the same month, the matter remained unresolved. As a result, the Bank withdrew all its international staff from Ethiopia.
Adesina then traveled to Addis Ababa in late December 2023 and held discussions with Prime Minister Abiy from 29-31 December.
