Islamic State Group Expands Territory in Mali, UN Experts Report

United Nations experts report that Islamic State extremists have nearly doubled their territory in Mali in less than a year, taking advantage of the stalled implementation of a 2015 peace agreement and the perceived weakness of armed groups. Al-Qaida-linked groups are also capitalizing on the situation, vying for leadership in northern Mali. The violence and attacks by these extremist groups have made the signatories of the peace deal appear weak, while the Malian military rulers are watching from a distance. The report also highlights the competition for control over trade and trafficking routes, as well as persistent conflict-related sexual violence in certain regions of Mali.