The car bomb attack in Gao, the region's biggest city, targeted a camp grouping former rebels and pro-government militia who are signatories to a 2015 peace accord struck with the government. The attack occurred as former rebels from the Tuareg-led CMA movement prepared to go on a joint patrol with pro-government militia members, under the terms of the peace deal. President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita ordered three days of national mourning following the attack, the worst in the country in recent years. "The suicide bomber came in a vehicle and blew himself up," the MINUSMA source said. FRAGILE PEACEThe assailant "came to town alone to procure equipment and fit the vehicle out to commit a suicide attack," a Malian security source who asked not to be named told AFP.

Source: Daily Nation January 19, 2017 04:40 UTC