Former Mali rebel leader killed in mine explosion: ex-rebels

The former military leader of an Islamist rebellion in northern Mali was killed by a mine explosion in Kidal in the country's north, military and ex-rebel sources said.

Cheikh Ag Aoussa's car "was hit by a mine and he died on the spot" after he left the office of the UN's MINUSMA mission, according to an African military source who is part of the deployment.

Ex-rebel forces confirmed his death yesterday and have called for an "independent inquiry".