Liberia: Further Steps Needed to Enhance Human Rights, UN Report Says
[32 mins][Liberia]
The United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) today called on the country's Government to ensure urgently a fully functioning independent human rights commission, warning that serious rights concerns persist, ranging from the death penalty to the prevalence of rape, despite some recent progress.

Mauritania: 'Chains Are Jewellery for Men'
[3 hrs]
Mauritania's security forces are again accused of routine and systematic torture of political opponents and Islamists accused of links with international terrorist groups. A report released by Amnesty International today details cruel violations of human rights, poor prison conditions and a judicial system that offers little protection.

Mauritania: Security Forces Accused of Using Torture
[3 hrs]
Mauritanian security forces have until recently been extracting prisoner confessions through torture - including sleep deprivation, cigarette burns, suspension from a metal bar, electric shocks, sexual violence, physical blows and psychological abuse - according to Amnesty International.

Ghana: Security Agencies Urged to Adopt Strategies to Ensure Peaceful Elections
[5 hrs][Ghana]
Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, Minister for the Interior, has called on personnel of security agencies to adopt appropriate strategies that would help ensure peaceful elections.

Ghana: To Observe Country's Elections -Carter Center Delegation Arrives
[5 hrs][Ghana]
Carter Center election observation leaders and short-term observers have arrived in Ghana to observe election preparations and voting on Dec. 7.

Ghana: Off to a Good Start
[5 hrs][Ghana]
Yesterday, Tuesday December 2 2008, special voting in Election 2008 by security services personnel, media and other workers, who would be on duty on December 7 went off smoothly throughout the country.

Nigeria: Aid Agencies Struggle After Jos Carnage
[8 hrs][Nigeria]
Aid workers say they are struggling to cope with the fallout of violent clashes between Christians and Muslims in Nigeria's central city of Jos, in Plateau state, which killed and wounded hundreds of people and displaced some 10, 000.

Ghana: Electoral Commission Pledges Neutrality
[9 hrs][Ghana]
Mr. Steven Opoku-Mensah, Western Regional Director of the Electoral Commission (EC) said the Commission will not hesitate to dismiss any polling assistant found to have taken sides with any political party.

Sierra Leone: UN to Help Boost Jobs for Youths
[9 hrs]
Four United Nations agencies will soon launch a project to support youth employment in the Mano River Union (MRU), which includes Sierra Leone, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea and Liberia.

Sierra Leone: Donors Disappoint APC Government
[9 hrs]
Minister of finance and economic planning Tuesday registered his disappointment over the promises made by donors towards the government budget, saying they are yet to fulfill them.