BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — The African Union says ethnic Tuareg separatist rebels have signed a cease-fire deal after having pushed the Malian army out of Kidal.
In a statement released late Friday, the African Union said that the agreement came following talks and a visit by Mauritania’s president, the current AU chairman.
The northern town of Kidal had largely remained under the control of the rebels, and Malian soldiers had only been allowed back in July following a 2012 rebellion.
A week ago, the rebels stormed government buildings, killing at least eight civilians and taking more than 30 hostages who were later released.
The violence has raised fears of further instability in Mali. The last Tuareg rebellion led to a coup in the capital, and later a French-led war to oust jihadists from power.
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