- Chadian authorities have announced lifting the nationwide state of emergency rule fueled by rebel attacks in the capital N'djamena in early February this year.
The emergency rule - which temporary suspended civil rights activities, imposed dusk-to-dawn curfew, censored media freedom, and empowered security forces to search and monitor people and vehicles - was extended by the parliament after its expiration.
Opposition deputies abstained from voting, saying they were protesting against the disappearance of their colleagues.
The private media embarked on a blackout in protest against the "illegal censorship." They threatened to ride on with the protest until the emergency rule is over.
Rights groups have been criticised Chad of using the repulsed rebellion to infringe on the rights of its perceived enemies, opposition politicians and journalists.
Chad and Sudan last week signed the Dakar Agreement, which aimed to normalise relations between the two countries. The two neighbours have earlier accused each other of violations of sovereignty rights.
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.