A month ago, the African Development Bank publicly disclosed a disturbing incident involving the assault, arrest, and torture of two of its employees by Ethiopian security forces in Addis Ababa.
The bank asserts that the actions taken by the security forces not only violated the rights of its employees but also breached the Vienna Convention on the Protection of Diplomacy and the Agreement of the African Development Bank Office Host Countries.
The African Development Bank promptly reported the incident to the Ethiopian government, urging an investigation and appropriate actions.
Despite assurances from Ethiopia that an inquiry would be conducted, and appropriate measures taken, the bank contends that the government has failed to fulfill its commitments.
Consequently, the bank has made the decision to close its office in Ethiopia and relocate its personnel to other countries, as reported by Reuters.
In response to the unfolding situation, Ambassador Meles Alem, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that the incident did not lead to the closure of the African Development Bank’s office, and the relationship between Ethiopia and the bank remained intact.
However, no official statements have been issued by either party shedding light on the motives behind the assault by Ethiopian security forces on the bank’s staff in Addis Ababa.
Established in 1963 in Khartoum, Sudan, the African Development Bank is a continental institution created by the Organization of African Unity.
Since the opening of its Ethiopian branch in 1967, the bank has played a crucial role in providing financial support for Ethiopia’s infrastructure, agriculture, and various development projects.
