Mali: Death toll from Friday’s attack climbs to 160

DAKAR, Senegal

The death toll from Friday’s armed attack in Mali has risen to 160, local media reported on Tuesday.

President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita visited the region and vowed to restore peace in the village, according to MaliJet, a local media outlet.

On Friday, militants had stormed the village of Egossagou in central Mali, leaving many people dead and many houses burnt.

"I have seen innocent children and elders are shot dead. I have seen burnt houses and 40 people in a mass grave. It reminds me of our horrible past that we think has passed," Keita said.

Keita has also sacked and replaced the West African country's army chief of staff and chief of land forces following the attack.

The government said the village has been completely evacuated and that it is working to stabilize the region. Food and necessary support has also been provided to the victims, according to the media outlet.

Tensions erupted in Mali in 2012 following a failed coup and a Touareg rebellion that ultimately allowed al-Qaeda-linked militant groups to take control of the northern half of the country.

In 2015, a peace deal was signed between the government and some insurgent groups.

Political and community disputes continue to fuel tensions in northern Mali, thus undermining implementation of the peace agreement.

Writing by Munira Abdelmenan Awel