Algerian troops enter Mali to fight al-Qaeda

Algerian troops have crossed into Mali to help government forces combat groups affiliated to al-Qaeda, officials and witnesses have said.

Mali blames French embassy attack on Tunisian

A Tunisian man who claimed to be an al-Qaeda member exploded a gas cylinder in front of the French embassy in Mali on Wednesday.

Spain to help Mali battle al-Qaeda

Spain plans to help Mali fight al-Qaeda of the Islamic Maghreb, the Mali president's office announced on Tuesday.

Mali video gives hope for captured Canadians

An alleged proof-of-life video raised hopes on Sunday over the fate of two Canadian diplomats who were kidnapped almost eight weeks ago in Niger.

EU sets up centre in Africa to fight illegal migration

The EU on Monday moved to export its controls on illegal immigration for the first time by setting up a new office in Africa.

Tuareg rebels attack Mali army camp, 32 killed

Tuareg rebels attacked an army camp in north-eastern Mali where 17 rebels and 15 soldiers were killed in one of the bloodiest clashes to date in a revolt by the desert insurgents, the government said on Thursday. A Defence Ministry statement said an "armed band" assaulted the camp at Abebara during the night of Tuesday to Wednesday in Mali's remote north-east.

Malian govt, rebels agree to truce, says official

Mali's government and Tuareg rebels led by Ibrahim Ag Bahanga, whose men have kidnapped 33 army troops, agreed to an immediate truce during Libyan-brokered peace talks, a Libyan diplomat said on Thursday. "Malian government and rebel envoys accepted a ceasefire on the ground from Thursday," said the diplomat.

Mali rebels hold soldiers hostage

Rebels in northern Mali are holding about 30 soldiers hostage following an attack last week, military officials said on Sunday. Ethnic Tuareg rebels raided a military convoy in the desert Kidal region last week, taking several dozen troops hostage, a military official said on condition of anonymity because he was not an authorised spokesperson.

Deported Malians trash plane in Bamako

A group of Malian illegal immigrants deported from Mozambique started trashing their plane in protest as it arrived in the capital, Bamako, on Tuesday, airport officials said. The 80-strong group of deportees tried to damage both the interior and exterior of the plane in front of cabin crew from South Africa.

Mali plans to abolish death penalty

The government in the West African state of Mali plans to abolish the death penalty, three decades after it carried out its last execution, it said on Thursday. A Cabinet meeting on Wednesday adopted a Bill that "stipulated that the death penalty be abolished and ... that it is replaced by life imprisonment", said a statement.

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