The News Review:

- Rwanda: Government Sierra Leone MPs Sign Cooperation Pact
- Sierra Leone War Crimes Court in Danger of Funding Shortfalls
- Rwanda: Sierra Leone Seeks to Adopt Decentralisation Policy
- Ex-Liberian leader denies invading Sierra Leone

Rwanda: Government Sierra Leone MPs Sign Cooperation Pact
AllAfrica.com
The deal which was announced by Speaker Rose Mukatabana at the end of a week-long working visit to Rwanda by Sierra Leonean MPs who had come to learn from their Rwandan counterparts especially in the area of gender parity. GA_googleFillSlot( “AllAfrica_Story_InsetA” );The two legislatures present contrasting scenarios. Whereas the Rwandan parliament has over 56 percent women representation Sierra Leone only has 13. “Rwanda tops the world in women representation in all decision making levels and we hope to share it with other countries” said Mukantabana. Following a meeting between the visiting law makers and the Forum for Rwanda Women Parliamentarians Mukantabana observed that sharing of information would ensure capacity building for the two forums. She also commended the male associate members within Sierra Leone’s Female Parliamentary Caucus (SLEFPAC) for joining efforts targeted at ensuring gender equality.
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Sierra Leone War Crimes Court in Danger of Funding Shortfalls
Voice of America
The president of the Court told the U. SecurityCouncil Thursday that if additional money is not found immediately thecourt would experience shortfalls by the first week of August thatcould disrupt its work. The Special Court is the firstinternational tribunal to be fully funded by voluntary contributions.

Rwanda: Sierra Leone Seeks to Adopt Decentralisation Policy
AllAfrica.com
“This policy has its foundations in the laws of the country as well as in the Rwandan culture. The policy should be put in context before being applied in any country” said Nyatanyi. Sierra Leone’s Parliamentary Speaker Justice Abel Strong who headed the group commended the government women empowerment programmes. “Rwanda is a role model to us because of the impressive women representation at all levels of governance and in major decision making organs. We are here to learn how this has been done so that we implement it in our own government” said Strong. His remarks were supported by Bintu who noted that African countries had a lot to learn from Rwanda. “Sierra Leone’s 127-member parliament has only 17 women as opposed to the over 56 percent women representation in the Rwandan parliament” Bintu remarked.

Ex-Liberian leader denies invading Sierra Leone
The Associated Press
Taylor is testifying before a war crimes court for the second week. He is defending himself against 11 counts of murder torture and recruiting child soldiers for supporting rebels during Sierra Leone’s 1991-2002 civil war. Taylor denies he colluded with rebel leaders who led the incursion into Sierra Leone from Liberia or helped them create the rebel force. He told the three judges of the U.