PM Desalegn 12 Feb said Egypt would lose if it referred Renaissance Dam issue to UNSC. Regional tensions over Ugandan intervention in S Sudan escalated: PM called on parties to S Sudan confl t to withdraw troops to guard against possible regional conflict.

Third round of Ethiopia-Sudan-Egypt talks on Nile waters 4 Jan in Khartoum ended in failure as Ethiopia rejected Egypt’s “principles of confidence building” document on grounds it contravened 2013 Cooperation Agreement signed by 6 Nile nations excluding Egypt.

Water ministers from Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt met 16 Dec, failed to reach agreement on disputed Ethiopian Renaissance Dam project. FM Tedros Adhanom 5 Dec said over 100,000 Ethiopian citizens repatriated from Saudi Arabia since Nov following latter’s crackdown on migrant workers. 5 additional suspects in Nov suicide bomb plot, which Ethiopian authorities linked to Somali Al-Shabaab militants, arrested mid-Dec.

Govt 6 Nov said security services have evidence Somalia- based militant group Al-Shabaab preparing to conduct terrorist attack in Addis Ababa and elsewhere in Ethiopia, allegedly with Eritrean assistance. 4 killed, at least 8 wounded 5 Nov in anti-tank mine explosion in Gumuz state. Dozens reportedly arrested 15 Nov at demonstration in Addis Ababa protesting attacks on Ethiopians in Saudi Arabia. 6 “Eritrean-trained” Gambella rebels reportedly killed, 12 arrested 29 Nov. PM Desalegn 19 Nov met with Egypt interim President Mansour on sidelines of African-Arab summit to discuss building of dam on Nile, no agreement reached.

Several Muslim protests coinciding with Eid al-Fitr early Aug resulted in clashes with security forces in Addis Ababa, Dessie, and E and W Oromia. Protesters 2 Aug clashed with police in W Arusi, Oromia region; govt said 3 police killed by armed protesters; protesters reported over 10 killed when police fired on unarmed protesters. Organisers of longstanding “Friday protests” expressed concern, distanced themselves from any protester violence; rights group Amnesty International condemned reported govt violence. Opposition groups mid-month condemned govt crackdown, warned govt’s hard-line stance on Muslims will inspire extremism following reports of arrests, beatings.

42 opposition Unity for Democracy and Justice (UDJ) protesters calling for political reform and release of political prisoners and journalists arrested 15 July in Amhara region; all reportedly released next day. Govt mid-month said controversial resettlement programme, focused on Gambella region, to continue despite criticism from rights groups; visiting European Parliament delegation emphasised importance of consulting affected populations. Over 15% increase in defence spending approved in budget early July. Tensions with Egypt over Nile waters continued.

Thousands protested 2 June in Addis Ababa in first authorised demonstration since 2005 calling for govt to respect rights including freedom of speech, stop forced resettlements and release prisoners of conscience; opposition Unity for Democracy and Justice party 20 June threatened more protests unless anti-terrorism law repealed. Tensions with Egypt over Nile dam continued. Govt mid-month expressed willingness to review construction adjustments but refused to halt project; high-level talks ongoing.

Director General of Revenue and Customs Authority Melaku Fenta, his deputy and 49 other officials and business people arrested on corruption charges. Govt 28 May announced diversion of Nile waters ahead of controversial Grand Renaissance Dam construction prompting concerns from Egypt, demonstrations outside Ethiopian embassy in Cairo demanding expulsion of Ethiopian ambassador, halt to project. Authorities 31 May arrested reporter seeking to interview farmers evicted by dam construction. At late-May AU summit, PM Desalegn 28 May accused ICC of “race-hunting”, targeting Africans.

PM Desalegn late April announced withdrawal of troops from Somalia, expressed concern over pace of Somalia’s transition. Desalegn 18 April met with EU president, discussed human rights, 20 April denied reports of large-scale govt land-grabbing. Govt 30 April reaffirmed willingness to hold talks with Eritrea on border dispute.

National Intelligence and Security Service 25 March said 8 al-Shabaab militants arrested in Somali region, group planning abduction of UN workers from refugee camp in Dolo Ado. 4 senior Tigray Peoples Liberation Front members resigned 22 March, reportedly as part of plan to replace older leadership with younger party members. Court 27 March delayed appeal of journalist Eskinder Nega and opposition leader, jailed July 2012 on terrorism charges.