- Three major Chadian newspapers - ‘Le Temps’, ‘L’Observateur’ and ‘N'Djamena info’ - have embarked on a news blackout in protest against a state of emergency that restricts media freedom. Unless the measure remains, the papers would ride on with the blackout.
A countrywide state of emergency, decreed by President Idriss Deby on Friday, was meant to bring back security and order in the aftermath of an attempted coup in the capital N'Djamena.
Besides the dawn to dusk curfew, the government prohibits meetings as well as censor media contents for publication. In that, a government committee has been mandated to read and endorse all news before they are broadcast or published.
Chadian national assembly is mandated to extend the state of emergency after it expires within two weeks.
Describing the government's action as "unwarranted and uncalled for," Chadian journalists said they cannot work under the current climate.
A lot of independent journalists were forced to flee N'Djamena after the latest incursion.
The government has offered a cash reward of US $600 for the supply of any information on the whereabouts of rebels believed to be hiding in N'Djamena.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.