A small but growing number of asylum seekers are from Ethiopia. Political opponents and journalists in Ethiopia face harassment, threats and detainment. Security personnel have used excessive force against protesters, at times resulting in deaths. The government also forcibly displaces indigenous communities from areas they want to develop, and it criminalizes same-sex relationships.

In central and eastern Congo, number of armed groups and government security forces have been attacking civilians. There is widespread repression and human rights violations against opposition leaders and supporters, journalists and activists. The past December 30 elections were irregular and voter suppression was widespread. 4.5 million people have been displaced and more than 130,000 refugees have fled to neighboring countries. Government officials have denied that a humanitarian crisis exists and was not involved in an international conference that raised US$1.7 billion for emergency assistance.