Further reports of Ethiopian troop presence in Hiran region of central Somalia; Addis Ababa announced Somali pro-govt militias had permission to use Ethiopian territory to attack Somali Islamist forces inside Somalia.

Somali al Shabaab 30 June threatened to attack Ethiopia following reports of troop presence in Somalia; Addis Ababa said posed “no clear danger”. U.S. Asst Sec State Carson 6 July warned Ethiopian re-engagement “counterproductive”. Govt 7 July passed controversial anti-terrorism law, amid fears could be used against opposition. Police 1 July shot dead 2 people building church at site also claimed by Muslims. Govt 21 July suspended 42 NGOs allegedly involved in activities “out of their mandate”.

Reports 12 June of heavily-armed Ethiopian troops in Galgudud region, central Somalia; Addis Ababa alleged reports fabricated by Islamist militants, 3 June acknowledged “reconnaissance” missions into Somalia.

Govt 2 May said 40 arrested members of “illegal” Ginbot 7 group intended bombings to disrupt order, but retracted Apr claims that group plotting coup. Opposition 5 May accused govt of using allegations of terrorist activity to garner international support and target potential candidates ahead of 2010 elections. Rights groups 5 May called on govt to identify all Ginbot detainees.

Some 300 rallied in capital 16 Apr calling for release of opposition UDJ chair Birtukan Medeksa after Dec re-arrest, in first such protest since disputed 2005 polls. Authorities 24 Apr arrested 35 members of “illegal” Ginbot 7 group, led by former CUD opposition figure Berhanu Nega, and charged with planning coup.

Opposition UDJ party accused govt of seeking to weaken opposition ahead of 2010 elections; chair Birtukan Mideksa still under arrest. Ogaden independence group ONFL claimed 70 govt troops killed and key Ogaden town Mustahil captured following fighting from 4 March; govt initially denied, later said key ONFL leaders captured during fighting. PM Meles held talks 14 March with heads of Puntland, Somaliland on cooperation against Ogaden rebels.

Jan troop withdrawal from Somalia continued to reverberate. Unconfirmed reports Ethiopian troops sporadically crossing back (see Somalia); govt denies, while Somali al- Shabaab angrily demanded total withdrawal. UN said 10,000 refugees crossed from Somalia since Jan. Senior member of opposition OFDM Bekele Jirate, jailed Nov for alleged links with armed OLF, released on bail 4 Feb. At least 45 reported dead in fighting between army and ONLF 15-20 Feb. Tens of thousands displaced after early month clashes around southern town Moyale between Borana, Gheri groups.

Army 21 Jan announced it killed senior ONLF rebel leader Serad Dolal. ONLF 6 Jan warned Malaysian company Petronas against oil exploration in Ogaden region; govt 9 Jan dismissed threat. After 2-yr intervention, Ethiopian troops completed pull-out from Somalia 26 Jan (see Somalia). Parliament 6 Jan passed controversial NGO law prohibiting aid organizations with more than 10% foreign funding from working on human rights, confl resolution and other issues. Opposition leader Mideksa 11 Jan ended 14-day hunger strike, announced intent to initiate legal procedure against Dec re-arrest, life sentence.

ONLF 22 Dec claimed some 50 killed, 50 wounded in govt attack on village in south east. Main opposition leader Medeksa, pardoned after imprisonment following 2005 election, sentenced to life 30 Dec.

Govt 4 Nov warned of imminent terrorist attacks on Addis Ababa; police 5 Nov killed Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) leader Legesse Wegi, over course of month arrested over 90 Oromo nationals and opposition members including opposition OFDM leader Bekele Jirata. Opposition denounced govt’s use of alleged terrorist plot as cover for mass Oromo arrests. Govt 26 Nov released 44 OLF rebels from jail. Govt investigation called groundless June Human Rights Watch reports into alleged war crimes committed during 2007 campaign against ONLF rebels; ONLF dismissed govt findings Over 50,000 displaced by floods in Somali region.