The African Development Bank (AfDB) warned that Ethiopia's failure to properly address an assault on two of its staff could negatively impact the Bank's $1.24 billion portfolio in the country and future presence, potentially disrupting development work.
The AfDB has announced it is withdrawing all its international staff from Ethiopia immediately, in the wake of an assault on two staff members by Ethiopian security forces last month. According to AfDB President Akinwumi (PhD), the two Addis Ababa-based staff were unlawfully arrested, physically assaulted and detained for hours without charge on October 31st.
The withdrawal comes after a delegation's assessment that "the situation is still not yet resolved in a satisfactory manner. 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," said Adesina.
"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,” the President added.
As a precautionary measure, international staff will work remotely until a satisfactory resolution is reached, AfDB said. The country office will remain open under local leadership. Nationally recruited Ethiopian staff will continue their work, according to its statement.
As of 30th September 2023, the Bank’s ongoing portfolio in Ethiopia comprising 22 projects, totalled $1.24 billion.
