This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-33671340

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Obama begins talks with Ethiopia's PM Hailemariam Desalegn Obama praises Ethiopia over fight against al-Shabab fight
(about 2 hours later)
US President Barack Obama is holding talks with Ethiopia's Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn on the second leg of his African tour. US President Barack Obama has praised Ethiopia as an "outstanding partner" in the fight against militant Islamists.
They are expected to centre on human rights and regional security issues, as well as the civil war in South Sudan. Its troops had played a key role in weakening the al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab group in Somalia, Mr Obama said.
Mr Obama is the first serving US leader to visit Ethiopia and will be the first to address the 54-member African Union in Addis Ababa on Tuesday. He was speaking after talks with Ethiopia's Hailemariam Desalegn, during the first ever visit by a US president to the Eastern African state.
Mr Obama flew to Ethiopia after a two-day visit to Kenya. He also called on Mr Hailemariam to improve Ethiopia's record on human rights and good governance.
"I don't bite my tongue too much when it comes to these issues," he said at a joint press conference.
BBC Africa Live: Obama in Ethiopia updatesBBC Africa Live: Obama in Ethiopia updates
There he had discussed trade and security but also called for greater human rights and warned of the dangers of corruption. Some rights groups have criticised Mr Obama's visit to Ethiopia, warning that the trip could lend credibility to a government accused of jailing journalists and critics.
The US president was greeted at Addis Ababa's international airport on Sunday by Mr Hailemariam. Amnesty International's Abdullahi Halakhe said: "We don't want this visit to be used to sanitise an administration that has been known to violate human rights."
Mr Obama will also be the first US leader to address the 54-member African Union in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa, on Tuesday.
He flew to Ethiopia after a two-day visit to Kenya where he had discussed trade and security but also called for greater human rights and warned of the dangers of corruption.
At the scene: Karen Allen, BBC News, Addis AbabaAt the scene: Karen Allen, BBC News, Addis Ababa
Compared to the Kenyan leg of his tour, President Obama's arrival in Ethiopia signals a more sombre mood.Compared to the Kenyan leg of his tour, President Obama's arrival in Ethiopia signals a more sombre mood.
Ethiopia is a close ally of the US in fighting militant Islamists. Thousands of Ethiopian troops are in Somalia, where the capital Mogadishu was the scene of a major bomb blast on Sunday.Ethiopia is a close ally of the US in fighting militant Islamists. Thousands of Ethiopian troops are in Somalia, where the capital Mogadishu was the scene of a major bomb blast on Sunday.
But despite security ties, Mr Obama is expected to raise concerns about what critics say is the erosion of democratic freedoms in Ethiopia. But despite security ties, Mr Obama raised concerns about what critics say is the erosion of democratic freedoms in Ethiopia.
Recent elections in which the ruling party secured all of the parliamentary seats, and a further clampdown on the media and the jailing of bloggers, are among the issues on which the US president is expected to express alarm. Recent elections in which the ruling party secured all of the parliamentary seats, and a further clampdown on the media and the jailing of bloggers, are among the issues rights groups expected the US president to raise.
In talks on South Sudan with leaders from Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda as well as the Sudanese foreign minister, he is expected to call for tougher sanctions and a possible arms embargo if the warring factions do not agree on a peace deal.In talks on South Sudan with leaders from Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda as well as the Sudanese foreign minister, he is expected to call for tougher sanctions and a possible arms embargo if the warring factions do not agree on a peace deal.
However, a US official travelling with Mr Obama said they were not expected to lead to a breakthrough.However, a US official travelling with Mr Obama said they were not expected to lead to a breakthrough.
"This is an opportunity to reinforce the effort that's on the table and to strategise... on next steps in the event that it doesn't succeed," the official told reporters."This is an opportunity to reinforce the effort that's on the table and to strategise... on next steps in the event that it doesn't succeed," the official told reporters.
The 19-month war in South Sudan has left thousands of people dead and displaced more than two million.The 19-month war in South Sudan has left thousands of people dead and displaced more than two million.
Security issues will also be on Mr Obama's agenda as Ethiopia, like Kenya, is battling the Somalia-based jihadist group al-Shabab.
Correspondents say he is also likely to call for greater democracy and human rights while in the country.
Ethiopia's ruling party, the EPRDF, and its allies won every single parliamentary seat in May's elections. Opposition parties claimed the process was rigged.Ethiopia's ruling party, the EPRDF, and its allies won every single parliamentary seat in May's elections. Opposition parties claimed the process was rigged.
Some rights groups have criticised Mr Obama's visit to Ethiopia, warning that the trip could lend credibility to a government accused of jailing journalists and critics.
Amnesty International's Abdullahi Halakhe said: "We don't want this visit to be used to sanitise an administration that has been known to violate human rights."
Human Rights Watch and other organisations urged Mr Obama to put the "pressing human rights concerns... at the forefront of your discussions".
A legal case currently being fought through the US courts alleges that agents of the Ethiopian government eavesdropped on the internet activities of a man in the US state of Maryland.A legal case currently being fought through the US courts alleges that agents of the Ethiopian government eavesdropped on the internet activities of a man in the US state of Maryland.
The man, born in Ethiopia and now a US citizen, works for a political opposition group outlawed in his home country.The man, born in Ethiopia and now a US citizen, works for a political opposition group outlawed in his home country.