Cease-fire accord announced between Mali government and Tuareg rebels

Algerian officials say the Malian government and rebel Tuaregs have agreed to a cease-fire in dangerous northern Mali. The accord was announced Monday after four days of talks in Algiers. But it remains to be seen whether the cease-fire will take hold. A peace agreement signed two years ago hasn't stopped the frequent attacks in northern Mali. Just last week, two police officers were wounded in an attack on a military base. Details weren't available but Algerian mediator Abdelkrim Ghrieb says the accord includes measures concerning prisoners and refugees. The rebels want more help for West African desert nation's minority Tuaregs. Today in Africa &... [read full story]