Mali

ECOWAS is developing a new strategy to stop jihadist violence in the Sahel from spreading

Corruption scandals and persistent insecurity fuel discontent, raising the spectre of the 2012 coup

A key northern former rebel group is refusing to attend talks with the government

In the past week, Mali has seen two daring attacks against military bases and the withdrawal of a rebel group from talks

Protests over the poor quality of roads and transport insecurity spread throughout country in the past month

Road travel between northern regions and the south has become increasingly perilous

Violence in central Mali has taken the form of reprisal attacks primarily between ethnic Fulani and Dogon communities

The Tuareg ethnic group crosses many borders in the Sahara-Sahel region and has led several rebellions