New York-based Human Rights Watch says it has documented many recent rebel violations including rape, torture, looting and mutilations, despite a recent peace accord.

It has called for legal proceedings against those involved in such crimes, which are not covered by a controversial blanket amnesty for atrocities committed during the civil war.

"The Sierra Leonean people have suffered enough. It is now time to break the cycle of impunity," says Peter Takirambudde, executive director of Human Rights Watch Africa.

The agreement to end the war, which started in 1991, was signed on 7 July in the Togolese capital Lome by rebel leaders Foday Sankoh of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) and Johnny Paul Koroma, a former junta ruler.

Sankoh was appointed Sierra Leone's vice president, and Koromo the head of a government peace commission.

Renewed Fighting

The two leaders head rival factions, however, that have clashed recently in the northern town of Makeni. Many of the recent abuses documented were committed here, and at least 100 fighters are reported to have been killed in the fighting.

Rebels from boths sides are accused of recent violations

Human Rights Watch has called on the rebel leaders to use their new posts in the government to end the terror.

Tens of thousands of people were raped, murdered, or had their arms, legs or ears chopped off during the country's eight-year civil war.