The United Nations is urging Mali to immediately adopt legislation to criminalize slavery in the country.

Two independent UN experts said on Monday that Slavery by descent and the resulting violence, perpetrated by supposed masters against people born into slavery, persist in the country.

Their findings indicate that slavery by descent is widespread in the central and northern regions of the country, notably in Timbuktu, Gao and Kidal.

Imoh Edet brings more details in this report.