LESS than a week before a ceasefire is to begin in Sierra Leone, rebels launched two attacks near the eastern city of Kenema, the pro-government Ecomog intervention force said on Thursday. Ecomog spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Chris Olukolade said the first attack occurred on Wednesday at Mano Junction, just north of Kenema, 240km east of the capital, Freetown. Observers described the attacks as “desperate” attempts by the rebels of the Revolutionary United Front to gain ground ahead of next Monday’s ceasefire, which was agreed on in Lome on Tuesday by rebel leader Foday Sankoh and President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah.