Rebel Stronghold in Northern Mali Taken!
By Harold Hutchison
French, Malian, and other African troops have taken the town of Kidal, the last major stronghold of Islamist rebels who hijacked a Tuareg revolt that began in January 2012. French President Francois Hollande is about to visit the African country on Saturday.
According to a report by VOA News, French officials have declared their intervention in Mali a success, but that reconciliation process is needed. Malian President Dioncounda Traore refused the call to negotiate with Islamist rebels, but indicated a willingness to speak with a Tuareg group, provided the renounce a claim to Malian territory.
The Tuareg rebels broke with the Islamists after shaira law was imposed in the territory taken from the central government.