One of the main Islamist groups in Mali has split, with the breakaway faction saying it is ready for talks to end a two-week-old French- led offensive, amid mounting concerns over rights abuses by government troops.
| "Please don't let them kill us!" |
The first of the 6,000 troops pledged by African nations to support France's intervention started heading north, moving closer to the areas a triad of al-Qaeda-linked groups seized in April. Cracks emerged in the rebel front, however, when a new faction announced it had broken away from Ansar Dine (Defenders of the Faith).
| Perhaps because they understand that even a poorly-trained African army can kick their asses... |
The newly formed Islamic Movement for Azawad yesterday said it "rejected all forms of extremism and terrorism and is committed to fighting them," adding that it wants a "peaceful solution" to the Mali crisis.
The use of the Tamasheq term Azawad appeared to further signal a willingness among the group's Tuareg ranks to distance themselves from al-Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb and the Malian insurgency's mainly foreign leadership. |