Discuss the causes of the rise and decline of the Mali Empire.

The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the causes of the rise of the Mali Empire and the causes of its decline. While they need not provide equal focus on rise and decline, the two factors must be addressed in candidates’ responses. Candidates may note that Mali’s rise was tied to the decline of the Ghana Empire. Sundiata Keita’s defeat of regional rivals allowed him to step into this power vacuum and consolidate control of the lucrative trade in gold and salt. The empire then expanded to the Atlantic coast and became the dominant regional power. Candidates may also refer to military factors including success in warfare. For decline, candidates may address the weak leadership of Maghan Musa, whose mismanagement of revenues led to economic failure. These problems were compounded by succession disputes and the division of the empire into three, followed by the surrender of territory and loss of control of the trans-Saharan trade routes, and, finally, the disintegration of the empire.