Obama Visits Ethiopia Amid Human Rights Concerns and Business Deals

US President Barack Obama is making his first visit to Ethiopia, a crucial US security ally and fast-growing economy, amidst concerns over human rights and the potential for increased business ties between the two nations. Obama is set to meet with Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn to discuss security threats, including the Islamist militant group al-Shabaab in Somalia. The US president will also be joined by the leaders of Kenya and Uganda to discuss the crisis in South Sudan and address the African Union in Addis Ababa. Human rights will be a focal point of discussion, with Obama's deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes highlighting the need for a free press and a viable space for civil society and political opposition in Ethiopia.

Key Takeaways:

• The US president is visiting Ethiopia to discuss security and business ties, including a focus on the threat of al-Shabaab in Somalia.
• Obama will raise human rights concerns, including restrictions on a free press and intimidation of journalists.
• Ethiopia's ruling party won every seat in the recent general election, with opposition parties claiming members were arrested on suspicion of making trouble.
• The Ethiopian government has made significant progress in development and opportunity, but faces criticism for restrictions on civil society and politics.
• The US is committed to partnering with African countries to increase their capacity to address security threats.
• Ethiopia contributes troops to an AU peacekeeping force battling al-Shabaab in Somalia.
• China has overtaken the US as the biggest trade partner in Africa, and Obama is seeking to expand business links with the continent.
• Ethiopia relies largely on state-led investment to drive growth, which economists say is squeezing out private business.
• The government has often turned to China to help build new infrastructure, including a new metro line in Addis Ababa.

Statistics:

• At least one opposition party claims its members were arrested before Obama's visit on suspicion they would make trouble.
• Ethiopia won every seat in the recent general election.
• China has overtaken the US as the biggest trade partner in Africa.
• The US is committed to partnering with African countries to increase their capacity to address security threats.
• Ethiopia contributes troops to an AU peacekeeping force battling al-Shabaab in Somalia.
• 2009: China overtook the US as the biggest trade partner in Africa.

Sources:

• Barack Obama is meeting with the Ethiopian prime minister, David Smith and Reuters in Addis Ababa, The Guardian, [no date] (cited as no date because it is a news article without a specific publication date).
• "The Ethiopian government has made extraordinary progress in bringing greater development and opportunity to its citizens," said Ben Rhodes, The Guardian, [no date].
• Ethiopia's ruling party won every seat in the recent general election, The Guardian, [no date].
• "Africa is on the move. Africa is one of the fastest growing regions in the world," Obama told a conference in Nairobi, The Guardian, [no date].
• "We are strongly committed to partnering with African countries to increase their capacity to address the immediate threats posed by terrorist organisations," The White House said in a statement on Monday, The Guardian, [no date].
• Related: Obama and African leaders to consider sanctions in South Sudan's civil war, The Guardian, [no date].
• Related: Ethiopia's ruling party wins by landslide in general election, The Guardian, [no date].
• Obama and African leaders to consider sanctions in South Sudan's civil war, The Guardian, [no date].
• The new metro line that snakes through Addis Ababa was built by a Chinese firm, The Guardian, [no date].