Tuareg-rebels and Mali’s government have signed a peace deal offering partial autonomy to the marginalised group.

The Algiers Accord was signed in May by a coalition of loyalist armed groups but one held out for concessions on the return of refugees, security arrangements and development plans for the region.

The Tuaregs seized large parts of country including Timbuktu in 2012.

Officials hope they’ll now being able to focus on tackling Islamist militants in the north of the country.