Slavery still exists in the northern Mali despite the French-led intervention to drive out Islamists rebels, campaigners say. Malian anti-slavery group Temedt says that slavery is still practised in the north between Berber-descended Tuareg and darker-skinned people. Slavery was abolished in Mali in the 1960s after the country gained independence from France. However, although slavery is not allowed under the constitution, there is no anti-slavery law. Sarah Mathewson, the Africa programme coordinator of UK NGO Anti-slavery International, says the ongoing conflict makes slaves more vulnerable.