Latest: The hostage takers in Algeria are demanding the release of 100 Islamist prisoners, who should be taken they say to the northern Mali border, according to a worker present at the gas plant. SNIP
For those who want to understand the different factions:
The MNLA are ethnic Tuareg Islamic militants who consider the northern half of Mali to be a separate Tuareg country called Azawad. They are fighting for a separate nation state.
Ansar Dine are ethnic Tuareg Islamic militants who want all of Mali to remain united and to transform it into a Muslim theocratic state run by Tuaregs. Their leaders are dissidents from the MNLA.
AQIM are ethnic Arab Islamic militants who want all of Mali to remain united and to transform it into a Muslim theocratic state run by Arabs.
MUJWA are ethnically black (the Mande peoples) Islamic militants who want all of Mali to remain united and to transform it into a Muslim theocratic state run by Mande people and to expel the Arabs. Their leaders are dissidents who left AQIM.
The government of Mali is a majority Mande secular republic allied with France and part of La Francophonie (somewhat like the UK's Commonwealth).
Praying for the hostages quick and safe release.
Thanks for adding this info.