News reports are suggesting that Tuareg separatist rebels in Mali have surrounded the historic town of Timbuktu after a rapid advance through the north of the country.
Eyewitness reports in the town say they have heard heavy weapons and machine-gun fire, apparently being directed at a military base.
Government troops appear to have deserted the base.
Two other important centres, Kidal and Gao, fell to the rebels and their Islamist allies in recent days.
Pressures from the rebels led to the ousting of the former civilian government of Toumani Toure and take over by American and British-backed coup plotters in the military.
All these important events are linked with the recent fall of Gadaffi and the rise of the Americana project in Africa called AFRICOM, (a US inspired military/colonial project for Africa).
We will keep monitoring the situation.
Rasta Livewire.com