Mali Rebels Agree To Ceasefire

20 Malian soldiers died clashes over territory rights to Kidal since Wednesday. 

Fearing throwing the country back to chaos, the rebels agreed to a truce proposed by United Nations and African Union officials.

The truce was agreed upon after talks with Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz and the Tuaregs in Kidal.

In 2012 a military coup was triggered by a Tuareg rebellion in the capital Bamako and an Islamist takeover of the north.

Although civilian rule was re-established in 2013 separatist and Islamist forces remain active in some regions.

The separatists have gained control of much of northern Mali in recent days.

By: Cecilia Garama

Source: Al Jazeera, BBC News