The African Development Bank (AfDB) has taken the drastic step of withdrawing all its international staff from Ethiopia, following a “very serious diplomatic incident” involving the assault and detention of two employees by government security forces.

The incident, which occurred on October 31st, has sparked outrage and raised concerns about the safety of foreign workers in Ethiopia. The AfDB lodged a formal complaint with Ethiopian authorities in November, but the lack of a satisfactory response prompted its decisive action.

“In view of the failure of the Ethiopian authorities to take urgent and decisive action to address the unacceptable assault on our staff and to provide assurance of their safety and security,” the AfDB stated, “we have taken the difficult decision to withdraw all our international staff from Ethiopia, effective immediately.”

This move deals a significant blow to Ethiopia’s development efforts. The AfDB is a major financial partner, with ongoing projects worth $1.2 billion. Its withdrawal severs a crucial source of funding and expertise, potentially impacting vital infrastructure and economic initiatives.

Ethiopian Finance Minister Eyob Tekalign expressed regret for the incident, but the AfDB’s response signals a lack of trust in the government’s ability to ensure the safety of its staff. This could have wider implications for international relations and foreign investment in the country.

The assault on AfDB staff raises disturbing questions about the current political climate in Ethiopia. Human rights groups have reported increased pressure on civil liberties and crackdowns on dissent. This incident adds to concerns about the rule of law and the safety of foreign nationals in the country.

The international community is likely to closely monitor the situation and urge Ethiopian authorities to address the AfDB’s concerns head-on. A thorough investigation into the incident and concrete steps to ensure the safety of foreign workers are crucial to rebuild trust and prevent further escalation.