- The West African state of Guinea-Bissau recorded what activists described as a healthy political development, as the ruling government of President João Bernardo Vieira lost a vote of confidence in the parliament. Constitutionally, the government should hand over power to a coalition body.
Following the confirmation of irregularities in the voting process by the secretary to parliament, the government vowed to appeal the case to the Supreme Court.
Guinea-Bissau, one of the poorest countries in the world, since 1999 has been at the centre of disputes that most times resulted in military coups or mutinies.
Political observers said that Guinea-Bissau President Vieira is left with the choice to dismiss the government of Prime Minister Aristides Gomes, dissolve the parliament or seek a compromise. Prime Minister Gomes, who was appointed to the position in 2005, has been a close friend of Mr Vieira.
Since his appointment, several deputies raised eyebrows and vowed to remove Mr Gomes from office. It is also believed that the Bissau government is deeply affected by the struggles with parliament.
Until his overthrow in 1999, Mr Vieira had ruled Guinea-Bissau in an authoritarian way for 19 consecutive years. In 2005, he came from his six year exile to sweep the free and fair presidential elections in the country.
Since independence, the former Portuguese colony has been confronted with all types of problems, including lack of human and material resources, which boomeranged on the country's development.
Principally, Guinea-Bissau's main problem is said to have to do with leadership. Unable to gain political stability for almost ten years, the country's economy has also faced ruin and lack of investments still haunts Bissau.
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.
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