junta

By then, the junta in charge of Mali had already begun working with the Russian mercenaries to combat the insurgents.

Mali's military junta has dissolved all political parties in the country amid a growing crackdown on dissent since the army seized power.

The junta has also nationalised two gold mines previously owned by a London-listed firm, and said last month that it planned to take control of more foreign-owned mines.

Days after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake shook Myanmar at the end of March, killing at least 3,700 people, the country's ruling junta agreed to a halt in its devastating military campaign.

The areas of Mandalay and Sagaing were hit especially hard by the earthquake on 28 March, which prompted a rare request from the Myanmar junta for foreign aid.