Court 15 Jan convicted 10 of plotting terrorist attacks with help from Somali militants, sentenced them to between 3 and 20 years jail. PM Desalegn elected AU chair 28 Jan.

PM Desalegn late Dec expressed willingness to negotiate with Eritrea following official Qatari govt effort to open negotiations. Federal High Court 12 Dec convicted several opposition members on terrorism charges for links to banned Oromo Liberation Front. 29 Muslim leaders arrested in July on terrorism charges appeared in court 17 Dec. Rebel Ogaden National Liberation Front reportedly resumed talks with govt late-month.

Islamic Affairs Supreme Council 5 Nov elected new executive members, with Sheikh Kiyar Mohamed Aman chosen as chairperson; follows months of demonstrations against govt interference in body, clashes and arrests. 29 Muslims including 9 prominent leaders charged Oct with plotting terrorist acts 22 Nov appealed charges. U.S. panel on religious freedom 8 Nov accused govt of trying to control Muslim community, religious repression. Parliament 29 Nov approved newly-elected PM and cabinet including 2 deputy PMs. PM Desalegn 21 Nov met with Kenyan President Kibaki, renewed commitment to cooperate to tackle challenges to regional peace and security, reviewed military presence in Somalia. Ethiopia elected to UNHRC 12 Nov despite protests by human rights groups over govt rights record.

Following Supreme Council on Islamic Affairs elections 7 Oct, ongoing countrywide protests over perceived govt interference in Muslim affairs. Demonstrations turned violent 21 Oct in Gerba, Amhara state, at least 4 killed including 1 police;29 Muslims, including nine prominent religious leaders, charged with terrorism 29 Oct. Peace talks between govt and Ogaden rebels 15-17 Oct failed to achieve breakthrough. Govt 27 Oct announced 10 NGOs shut down under new civil society and charity law. Govt 9 Oct released 75 Eritrean prisoners captured in March cross-border attack on Eritrean military base.

Tens of thousands 2 Sept attended state funeral for PM Meles Zenawi. Acting PM Hailemariam Desalegn named successor 15 Sept, sworn in 21 Sept, vowed to maintain Meles’ legacy. Govt 10 Sept pardoned, freed 2 Swedish journalists arrested 2011 for “supporting terrorism” after visiting rebel Ogaden region. Govt delegates 6-7 Sept met with separatist Ogaden National Liberation Front, agreed to further talks.

PM Zenawi 20 Aug died of undisclosed illness sparking concerns over Ethiopian, regional stability, fears of Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) power struggle; deputy PM Hallemariam Desalegn named acting head of state. Human Rights Watch report late month accused army of rape, torture in Gambella region. Muslim communities continued demonstrations against govt interference with religious institutions, July arrests of Islamic leaders.

Speculation over PM Zenawi’s health intensified when he failed to attend 12 July AU summit in Addis Abeba: Deputy PM Desalegne said Meles unwell, illness not serious but reports Meles critically ill continue; govt 22 July blocked publication of weekly Feteh newspaper, reportedly over article on health of Meles, govt said paper inciting national insecurity, endangering govt. At least 18 killed, tens of thousands displaced when ethnic clashes over land erupted 28 July in south. Police 21 July again violently clashed with Muslims protesting state interference in religion in Addis Ababa, several arrested. Journalist Eskinder Nega sentenced 13 July to 18 years in prison, opposition leaders Andualem Arage, Berhanu Nega and Andargachew Tsige jailed for life under terrorism laws.

Court 27 June found 24, including journalist Eskinder Nega and opposition member Andualem Arage, guilty of terrorism, increasing fears over freedom of speech. UN guard found guilty of “participating in terrorist organisation” for alleged links to Ogaden National Liberation Front sentenced 22 June to 7 years in prison. Govt 22 June said Ethiopian troops to remain in Somalia until new Somali constitution ratified, security situation stabilised. Human Rights Watch 18 June reported govt displacing tens of thousands in Omo Valley. Govt 22 June announced arrest of 14 suspected gunmen in connection with April attack on farm, March killing of 19 bus passengers in Gambella.

Opposition coalition Forum for Democratic Dialogue in Ethiopia (Medrek) condemned Ethiopia-Sudan convict exchange agreement signed 16 May, said could be used to prosecute political refugees. Court 17 May confirmed terror charges against 11 accused of forming cell linked with al-Qaeda. Following April announcement of govt crackdown on suspected extremists, Muslims demonstrated throughout month to protest govt interference, including attempt to impose anti-wahabi Abhash sect as lead of Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Ethiopia. Contradicting earlier statement withdrawal imminent, PM Meles Zenawi 21 May said troops deployed in Somalia preparing surge to combat al-Shabaab.

PM Meles 17 April accused Eritrea of abducting over 100 Ethiopian gold miners from NW Tigray region; Eritrean govt denied accusations. Terrorism trial of Abdirahman Hassan, UN security officer stationed in Ogaden region and arrested July 2011 for alleged links to rebel Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF), began 9 April. PM Meles 17 April announced imminent withdrawal of Ethiopian forces from Somalia.