Country Report on Terrorism 2024 - Chapter 1 - Ethiopia

Country Overview: Ethiopia’s counterterrorism efforts focused on countering threats emanating from al-Shabaab and ISIS in Somalia.  The diplomatic rift between the two countries, resulting from aspects of Ethiopia’s relationship with Somaliland, affected the longstanding Ethiopia-Somalia alliance against al-Shabaab and Ethiopia’s significant contribution to Somali peace and security.  Moreover, Ethiopia’s internal conflicts with Amhara Fano militias and the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) remained a persistent domestic threat.  The Government of Ethiopia forged a peace deal with one faction of the OLA; however, the OLA remained in active conflict with the Ethiopian National Defense Force.  In December, Ethiopia adopted the Asset Recovery and Unexplained Wealth Law (Proclamation 1364/2024) to seize assets from terrorism and other illegal activities.  Parliament reviewed the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorist Financing law to ensure alignment with international standards.

Ethiopia countered terrorist recruitment through economic reforms and efforts to reduce ethnic strife that drives al-Shabaab recruitment.  Ethiopian courts also issued several judgments against defendants accused of having ties with and/perpetrating crime on behalf of al-Shabaab.  Sentences ranged from 5-12 years for informants, 10-20 years for fighters, and a life sentence for an al-Shabaab commander.  Ethiopia’s government continued to deploy counterterrorism units along Ethiopia’s borders with Kenya and Somalia.  Ethiopia continues to play a leading role in the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and its counterterrorism programs and trainings, including the IGAD Security Sector Program, which built regional capacity to mitigate, detect, and deter terrorist activity.  In 2024, Ethiopia and Kenya announced plans to sign a memorandum of understanding to combat al-Shabaab through joint security operations.

2024 Terrorism Trends:  There were no verified attacks by international terrorist groups in Ethiopia.

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