Mali Tuareg rebels declare independence in the north

A rebel group in northern Mali has declared independence for a region it calls Azawad, after seizing control of the area last week.

 The National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) made the statement on its website, adding that it would respect other states’ borders. The MNLA is one of two rebel groups to have gained ground in the area after Mali’s government was ousted in a coup. The African Union has condemned the declaration as “null and void”. Former colonial power France and the European Union have also said they will not recognise Azawad’s independence.