Rival Tuareg groups say they have signed a cease-fire agreement in northern Mali, a deal which could bolster a fragile peace accord between the government and other armed groups.
Fahad Ag Al Mahmoud, a leader in a third Tuareg group, said Thursday that the Coordination of the Movements of Azawad and the pro-government Platforme group signed the deal Wednesday.
The cease-fire comes after several months of fighting in Mali’s north. Ag Al Mahmoud says it will allow people to move more freely in the Gao and Kidal regions of Mali, and that both groups will release their respective captives.
The United Nations mission in Mali says both groups are responsible for human rights violations.