Administrator in northern Mali killed by Tuareg rebels

BAMAKO, April 2 (Xinhua) -- The administrator of Bourem, a region in Gao in northern Mali, was killed by Tuareg rebels, local residents reported on Sunday.

The residents said the administrator, Mohamed Sidibe, attempted to flee with his family on Saturday, after learning that the rebels of the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) were going to attack Gao.

A resident of Bourem said the MNLA fighters took away the vehicle of the administrator and his body was returned on Sunday. His wife was also reportedly killed.

Residents in another northern region of Sevare went on panic after learning that the Tuareg rebels were preparing to attack their town.

The Malian soldiers and civilians who fled from Gao, Niafunke and Timbuktu are taking refuge in Sevare.

Tuareg rebels seized Kidal, Gao and Timbuktu respectively on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

For the first time since they took arms the 1960s, the rebels have taken the northern towns in pursuit of independence of an Azawad land comprising Timbuktu, Gao and Kidal.

The rebels apparently took advantage of the coup on March 22, when the junta declared takeover from President Amadou Toumani Toure, citing his failure to provide means for the military to curb Tuareg rebels in the north.

Posted in: Africa, Bourem, Gao, Kidal, Mali, Timbuktu, Tuareg people