s, there are concerns that the elections risk upending the divided nation's fragile peace, particularly given instability in the rebel stronghold of Kidal and the other northern cities of Menaka, Gao, and Timbuktu. In addition, the results of rushed and ill-prepared elections risk being highly conteste

cendancy of radical Islamists, who have imposed a strict form of Shariah law on the region and now control the principal towns of Timbuktu, Gao and Kidal. The Islamists have also embarked on a campaign of destroying religious shrines that has drawn condemnation from the United Nations and the Interna

Algerian-brokered peace deal with Tuareg rebels seeking greater autonomy for their northern desert region. The rebels looted weapons in the town of Kidal in May, raising tears of a new rebellion. 2007 April - President Toure wins a second five-year term in elections. 2007 July - The ruling coalition,