Ethiopia lifts state of emergency imposed in October

Ethiopia's government, lifted a state of emergency imposed in October after hundreds of people were killed in anti-government protests demanding wider political freedoms.

Politicians voted to end the measure, with officials saying the country has fewer security issues.

Last year's protests saw some of the East African nation's worst violence since the ruling party came to power in 1991.

A deadly stampede at a religious celebration at the beginning of October saw more than 50 people killed as police confronted protesters.

Emergency law, which was extended in March, restricted a number of rights and led to the arrests of more than 21,000 people. It also hurt one of Africa's fastest-growing economies.

"We have been able to deal with armed terrorists, anti-peace elements and troublemakers," Defence Minister Siraj Fegessa said, adding that the government was now able to deal with "a few" remaining security threats.

UCJ, UNILORIN.