- The former Liberian President Charles Taylor's lawyers are seeking the leader’s acquittal saying there is no evidence linking him as a key instigator of the 10-year civil war in neighbouring Sierra Leone.
The civil conflict marked by brutal attacks on civilians, drug-crazed child soldiers and amputations of limbs, killed more that 250, 000 people in Liberia and Sierra Leone for more than a decade.
Mr Taylor's lawyer, Morris Anyah, said the evidence presented to The Hague's Special Court for Sierra Leone is not sufficient or capable of supporting a conviction of the former leader.
The lawyer said it did not deny terrible crimes that took place in Sierra Leone or that citizens there faced, however said there was no evidence linking Mr Taylor to the planning, instigation and execution of those crimes.
Mr Taylor who has been on trial since June 2007 is charged with 11 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, stemming from the 1991-2001 civil war in the West African country.
He is also accused of having armed, trained and controlled Sierra Leone's notorious Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebels and of involvement in the "blood diamonds" to finance the conflict.
Mr Taylor, the first former African head of state to stand trial before any court has however pleaded not guilty to the 11 counts including murder, rape, conscripting child soldiers and sexual slavery.
The Sierra Leone court was set up to try those with the greatest responsibility for the war crimes the country.
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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