Over the protests held in Ethiopia last year, which led to the act performed by marathon runner, Feyisa Lilesa, the Ethiopian government led by Mulatu Teshome has lifted some restrictions imposed during a state of emergency declared in 2016.

According to Ceoafrica, powers granted to security services to stop and search suspects and to search homes without court authorisation have been revoked.

Siraj Fegessa, the minister who chairs the government's body overseeing the state of emergency, has also ended a dusk-to-dawn curfew on access to economic installations, and other buildings and factories for unauthorised people.

The lifting of the restrictions has happened earlier than anticipated.

The state of state of emergency was declared in October last year following months of anti-government protests that killed around 500 people.

Ethiopia faced its biggest anti-government unrest in a decade, from the majority Oromo and Amhara ethnic groups, who feel marginalised by a minority-led government. 

They complain power is held by tiny Tigrean elite. 

Some restrictions are still in place. Engaging opposition groups branded as "terrorist movements" is still forbidden. Ethiopia has designated five groups, including two armed secessionist groups, as terrorist organisations.

Another directive, barring the "preparation, distribution and exhibition of material that could incite chaos”, also remains.