The United Nations says 16 of its staff members have been detained in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.
The UN spokesperson has said the the worldly body is actively working with the Ethiopian government to secure the immediate release of those who are in detention.
This comes as last month seven senior UN officials were expelled after being accused of meddling in Ethiopia affairs.
The UN has spoken out about human rights abuses and has accused the government of impeding the delivery of aid to millions of victims of a year-long conflict in northern Ethiopia.