Mali crisis: Who's who?
Mali is in the grip of an unprecedented political crisis, one of the most serious since the landlocked West African country gained independence from France in 1960.
Mali’s Tuareg rebels are now in control of the north of the country - one of the poorest in the world.
The army seized power in March, accusing the elected government of being soft on the rebels - but while the military was distracted, the rebels made rapid advances.
Under a deal brokered by the West African regional bloc Ecowas, the country has now returned to civilian rule - with Mali’s parliamentary speaker sworn in as interim president on 12 April. But political uncertainty remains.
Mali coup leaders to stand down as part of Ecowas deal
Coup leaders in Mali have agreed to stand down and allow a transition to civilian rule, as part of a deal struck with regional bloc Ecowas.
In return, the bloc will lift trade and economic sanctions and grant amnesty to the ruling junta, mediators said.
The move came after Tuareg rebels in the north declared independence of territory they call Azawad.
The rebels seized the area after a coup two weeks ago plunged the West African nation into political crisis.
