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Our staff were assaulted in Ethiopia, Africa bank says
11:36 CAT | 17 Nov 2023
Image: AfDB
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has accused security forces in Ethiopia of “unlawfully arresting” and “physically assaulting” two of its staff members.
According to a statement by the bank released on Thursday, the incident happened two weeks ago in the capital, Addis Ababa.
The unnamed staff members were detained for many hours – without any official explanation – until, on learning of their arrest, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed intervened and ordered their immediate release, the bank’s statement said.
The AfDB called the occurrence “a very serious diplomatic incident,” adding it had lodged a formal complaint with the authorities.
The bank is one of Ethiopia’s key financial partners and its chief, Akinwumi Adesina, enjoys warm relations with Prime Minister Abiy.
In September, the AfDB approved more than $100m (£80m) in funding to finance power supply improvements in Ethiopia.
Security forces have not commented on the allegations and the BBC’s attempts to get a response have not been successful.
Two @AfDB_Group staff members based in Ethiopia were unlawfully arrested, physically assaulted, and detained for many hours by elements of the security forces without any official explanation.
Full statement by the African Development Bank Group: https://t.co/XRvgGTbFKk pic.twitter.com/vlxDVsu5jr
— African Development Bank Group (@AfDB_Group) November 16, 2023
Source: BBC
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