A month ago, the African Development Bank (AfDB) reported a troubling incident in Addis Ababa, where two of its employees were allegedly beaten, arrested, and tortured by Ethiopian security forces.
The bank asserted that the employees had violated the Vienna Convention on the Protection of Diplomacy and the Agreement of the AfDB Office in Host Countries, specifically referring to Ethiopia.
Upon reporting the incident to the Ethiopian government, the AfDB emphasized the severity of the matter, citing a breach of international law. Ethiopia pledged to investigate the incident and take appropriate action.
However, the bank later revealed that the promised actions were not taken, and the Ethiopian government failed to provide information about the investigation.
Expressing their concern over Ethiopia’s breach of the Vienna Convention on the Protection of the Diplomatic Community, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom jointly released a statement.
In their communication, the countries highlighted the importance of upholding the Vienna Convention, emphasizing its role in enabling countries and the international diplomatic community to carry out their work freely.
The Canadian Embassy’s statement expressed regret that those responsible for the assault on AfDB employees in Addis Ababa had not been questioned.
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom affirmed its commitment to funding projects in Africa and the AfDB while strongly condemning the incident. The UK stressed the necessity of accountability for the actions taken against the bank’s employees.
Ambassador Meles Amdel, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, responded to the issue by asserting that despite the incident, the AfDB’s Ethiopian office remained open, and diplomatic relations between Ethiopia and the bank persisted.
Notably, neither side has officially disclosed the reasons behind the assault by Ethiopian security forces on the AfDB’s Addis Ababa office staff. This lack of information raises questions about the motives and circumstances surrounding the incident.
Established in 1963 in Khartoum, Sudan, by the Organization of African Unity, the AfDB is a prominent African institution. Since 1967, the AfDB has operated a branch in Addis Ababa, providing crucial financial support for Ethiopia’s infrastructure, agriculture, and various development projects. The recent incident has sparked international concern, shedding light on the importance of safeguarding diplomatic principles and ensuring accountability in diplomatic relations.
