President Afwerki met Egyptian President Sisi in Cairo 9 Jan to enhance “strategic cooperation”. As tensions rose between Egypt and Sudan (see Sudan), Afwerki 15 Jan dismissed reports that Egyptian troops had deployed to Sawa military base in western Eritrea close to border with Sudan. Sudan 5 Jan said it had sent troops to Kassala region in eastern Sudan near border with Eritrea, and same day closed border.

Police reportedly dispersed crowd staging rare anti-govt protest in capital, Asmara, 31 Oct after Islamic school chairman arrested for opposing govt’s demands that school ban hijab and stop religious education; gunfire reported in several locations, activists said police killed 28 people and wounded 100, denied by govt. Authorities reportedly blocked internet in country following unrest and allegedly arrested hundreds of students in connection to protest.

After govt deployed troops into disputed Doumeira territory on Eritrea-Djibouti border in June, Djibouti 3 July asked African Union to send in observers. Govt 4 July said it would only recognise as mediator Qatar, which withdrew ceasefire monitoring mission from Doumeira early June. Govt 9 July postponed visit of African Union’s peace and security commissioner to capital Asmara citing “conflicting calendars”. China 23 July said it would consider mediating dispute and sending in peacekeepers if requested.

After Qatar withdrew ceasefire monitoring mission from disputed Doumeira territory on border between Eritrea and Djibouti mid-June, Eritrea deployed troops into disputed territory 16 June and Djibouti lodged complaint at African Union (AU). AU late June sent fact-finding team to disputed area (see Djibouti).

Govt 3 April criticised U.S. decision 30 March to place sanctions on navy following UN report of “arms-related cooperation” between Eritrea and North Korea.

Ethiopian govt 1 March said security forces had prevented twenty members of Eritrea-based rebel Benishangul Gumuz People’s Liberation Movement (BPLM) from attacking Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) 28 Feb; reportedly killed thirteen BPLM. Ethiopian govt 2 March accused Eritrea of training, arming and directing BPLM rebels, Asmara denied involvement. Following early March visit to Eritrea by Egyptian govt delegation, FM 19 March met Egyptian counterpart in Cairo, agreed to cooperate in counter-piracy operations in Red Sea.

Security forces 12 June clashed with Ethiopian soldiers on disputed border near Tserona, both sides blamed other for instigating violence, claimed other sustained heavy casualties; govt 21 June accused Ethiopia of preparing larger military strike.

Govt soldiers 3 April reportedly shot dead fourteen conscripts jumping from military trucks; in sign of gradual move toward openness govt 8 April said two died, eleven injured; incident adds pressure on govt to end conscription.

Govt 18 March released four Djibouti prisoners of war captured in border skirmish June 2008, reportedly following Qatari mediation.

Opposition armed group Red Sea Afar Democratic Organisation (RSA-DO) 28 Jan reportedly killed six security forces in Northern Red Sea region.