The African Development Bank (AfDB) has lodged a formal complaint with Ethiopian authorities after police detained and physically assaulted its staff members based in Addis Abeba a few weeks ago. One of the two detained and later released included AfDB's Country Manager, Abdul Kamara (PhD), who is now in Canada attending a medical check-up. The severity of the incident was such that it prompted an intervention by Ethiopia's high-ranking officials, including President Sahleworq Zewdie and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD). A high-level inquiries force chaired by Teklewold Atnafu, monetary policy advisor to the Prime Minister, has been established to probe the case, sources disclosed. At least two individuals from the Ministry of Finance were taken in for questioning with developments around the same time which involved "mistakes" in handling membership fees. The Bank's statement, issued after a long silence, emphasised the gravity of the situation, pointing to a breach of the Vienna Convention, which governs diplomatic relations. The AfDB has sought assurances from the Ethiopian government that those responsible will face justice. The incident marks a significant diplomatic rift between international organisations based in Addis Abeba, testing the boundaries of diplomatic immunity and norms. It was also followed by a transfer of millions of dollars by Ethiopian authorities servicing a membership with the AfDB, which was found to be fraudulent.
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