APA-Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) The African Development Bank (AfDB) said it will resume normal operations in Ethiopia after receiving a formal apology and commitments from the government of the east African nation to resolve a diplomatic incident.
The decision to normalize relations follows a “fruitful” discussion between Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and AfDB President Akinwumi Adesina.
“I am delighted that relations between the African Development Bank Group and Ethiopia have now been normalized,” President Adesina tweeted on X over the weekend.
On Oct 31 last year, government security forces physically assaulted and detained for hours two members of AfDB’s Addis Ababa-based international staff “without any official explanation”, according to the Abidjan-headquartered lender.
The incident drew strong criticism from the bank which said it was “a gross violation of their personal diplomatic immunities, rights, and privileges” under the Host Country Agreement.
Authorities opened an investigation into the case after a formal complaint was lodged by the group but its lack of progress and clarity left the bank’s officials dissatisfied and moved to pull expat employees out of Ethiopia.
In light of these developments, the Abidjan-based lender said the bank will resume its normal operations and all international staff of the AfDB will return to Ethiopia.
The decision was welcomed by the government, expressing their resolve to build up on the current multifaceted cooperation with AfDB.
MG/abj/APA