ALGIERS
The Malian government and an alliance of Tuareg-led northern rebels on Thursday reached a cease-fire agreement with the aim of reaching a peace deal in the West African country.
The deal calls for the cessation of hostilities and provocations and taking confidence-building measures by both sides, including the release of detainees.
The agreement was inked during a fifth round of talks hosted by Algeria between the Malian government and six northern rebel groups.
Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtan Lamamra said the deal aims at creating a favorable atmosphere for peace talks to progress between the two sides.
"The two sides have a commitment to avoid any action that may lead to deteriorate the situation on the ground or create unnecessary difficulties to the negotiations," he was quoted as saying by the state television.
Mali slipped into violence in 2012 following a failed coup attempt and a Tuareg rebellion that allowed Al-Qaeda-linked militants to take over the country's northern half.
In early 2013, former colonial power France sent troops to the North African country and – with the help of Chadian and other African forces – flushed Islamist militants from the country's main northern cities.
