Evaluate the reasons for the decline of the Mali Empire by 1600.

Candidates will make an appraisal of the reasons for the decline of the Mali Empire, weighing up their importance. Candidates may refer to internal and external reasons that contributed to the decline of the Mali Empire. Alternatively, they may categorize their responses into long- and short-term causes. Additionally or alternatively, candidates may consider the social, political and/or economic reasons for the decline. Factors identified may include weak leadership after the death of Mansa Musa, external threats and attacks by rivals such as the Mossi and Tuaregs, economic decline and bankruptcy due to poor administration and the loss of trade routes, internal rebellions which led to territorial disintegration, and the rise of new, powerful rivals such as the Songhai Empire. Candidates may reach a conclusion about the relative importance of the different factors which they identify.