Lansana Fofana

POLITICS-LIBERIA: Rebel Advances Create Panic Mass Displacements

As fighting draws closer to the Liberia's capital Monrovia, there has been total panic among the civilian population, with thousands moving away from the scenes of battle.

POLITICS-SIERRA LEONE: UN Sets up an International Criminal Court

By Lansana Fofana

After years of speculation, the United Nations has finally signed a statute in Freetown establishing an international criminal court to "try individuals bearing the greatest responsibility" for horrific crimes committed during the country's decade-long civil war.

POLITICS-SIERRA LEONE: Rebels to Turn in Weapons by Month’s End

By Lansana Fofana

The process of disarming Sierra Leone's factional combatants will be completed by Nov 30, according to a UN official.

POLITICS-LIBERIA: UN Sanctions Hit Maritime Industry

By Lansana Fofana

Liberia is reeling under the latest UN sanctions, which target the country's maritime industry.

POLITICS-GUINEA: Conte’s Attempt to Run Again Sparks Controversy

By Lansana Fofana

President Lansana Conte's attempt to run again has sparked controversy, with Guinean opposition parties launching a campaign to prevent him from seeking a third term of office.

MEDIA-SIERRA LEONE: Death Threats against Journalists Cause Stir

By Lansana Fofana

There is still looming controversy over the issuance last week, of death threats against seven journalists from the independent press by unknown assailants who described themselves as the government's "hit squad".

POLITICS-SIERRA LEONE: UN’s Special Court Stirs Controversy

By Lansana Fofana

The recent approval of the setting of an independent special court for Sierra Leone, by the United Nations, has stirred controversy -- sometimes negatively impacting the disarmament and demobilisation of former combatants in the country.

POLITICS-SIERRA LEONE: Pressure on Kabbah to Set up Interim Govt

By Lansana Fofana

The beleaguered government of President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah is locked in a bitter political struggle with both its Sierra Leonean rebel adversaries and disparate political groups, which are calling for the setting up of a transitional interim administration when its tenure expires this month.

POLITICS-SIERRA LEONE: UN Troops Deployed in Diamond-Rich Region

By Lansana Fofana

Rebels of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) in Sierra Leone have for the first time allowed the deployment of UN peacekeepers in the contested eastern diamond- producing region of Kono, about 340 kilometres from the capital Freetown.

POLITICS-SIERRA LEONE: Detained Dissident A Factor In Peace Talks

By Lansana Fofana

Detained rebel leader, Foday Sankoh is becoming a major factor in the search for peace in the small West African nation of Sierra Leone.

RIGHTS-WEST AFRICA: Women Feel The Impact Of Conflict

By Lansana Fofana

The impact of the decade-long conflict on Sierra Leone's women has been catastrophic especially as it borders on their fundamental rights.

POLITICS: Armed Conflict Deepens Along Guinea/Liberia Borders

By Lansana Fofana

As the armed conflict deepens along the common borders of Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia, with its attendant humanitarian problems, the sub- regional grouping Mano River Union (MRU) seems to be slowly dying out.

POLITICS-SIERRA LEONE: UN Resumes Deployment Of Peacekeepers

By Lansana Fofana

After suffering a string of disastrous setbacks at the hands of rebel forces last year, which clearly undermined its credibility, the UN Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) has finally resumed deployment of its peacekeeping troops in this troubled West African state.