Ivory Coast militiamen condemned

Conflict broke out in September last year

A human rights watchdog has accused pro-government militia in Ivory Coast of killing and torturing civilians.

It said this had happened despite the presence of international peacekeepers.

Human Rights Watch said it had received credible accounts of armed groups carrying out abuses with impunity against civilians in government-controlled parts of the country.

It said the violence had continued since the nominal end in July of the civil conflict.

Peter Takirambudde, director of the New York-based group's Africa division, said: "The proliferation of militia groups is a very dangerous consequence of the conflict in Ivory Coast, particularly in the currently volatile situation."

He went on to say that,"unfortunately, the government has not acted to stem this trend. Instead, these groups continue to get away with murder."

Several of the militia units - known by names like the Bees, the Gazelles, the Ninjas and the Panthers - have reportedly received training from members of the national armed forces.

Human Rights Watch also noted credible allegations that some militia members had been armed by government forces.

Some 4,000 French troops are currently monitoring the ceasefire between the government and rebels in Ivory Coast, along with 1,500 peacekeepers from the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas).