Addis Ababa October 04, 2021 (Walta) – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia issued a statement on immunities and privileges of intergovernmental organizations and their staff under the “State of Emergency Proclamation Enacted to Avert the Threat Against National Existence and Sovereignty No 1/2021”.
It is to be recalled that a “State of Emergency Proclamation Enacted to Avert the Threat against National Existence and Sovereignty No 1/2021” has been issued by the Council of Ministers on November 2, 2021.
The Proclamation, under article 8(2) stipulates that “Without prejudice to diplomatic immunities indicated under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, substantive and procedural laws inconsistent with this proclamation shall remain suspended during the implementation of this proclamation.”
“The Government of Ethiopia would like to provide assurances to concerned intergovernmental organizations that for the purpose and duration of this proclamation, the immunities and privileges which intergovernmental organizations and their staff enjoy pursuant to other international treaties or host country agreements concluded with the Government of Ethiopia will be considered as being analogous to and enjoying a similar exempt status from the State of Emergency proclamation as the diplomatic immunities and privileges provided for under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.”, the statement indicates.
The Ministry, therefore, said that the suspension of substantive and procedural laws inconsistent with this proclamation does not affect immunities and privileges that emanate from host country agreements and other international treaties and instruments concerning intergovernmental organizations or any international organization that enjoys a similar status under international law.