Mauritania anti-slavery group seeks release of colleagues

BAMAKO, Mali – A Mauritanian anti-slavery activist says he plans to bring up the plight of his imprisoned colleagues during an African Union meeting next month.

Biram Ould Dah made a trip to neighbouring Mali on Thursday in a bid to draw support from human rights activists there.

Though outlawed, slavery still exists in the West African nation of Mauritania. Last month, some 13 members of an organization fighting to end it were sentenced to prison time ranging from three to 15 years.

The activist says the Mauritanian group plans to bring up the sentences at an African Union meeting in Gambia in October.

Mauritania’s government has accused the activists of using violence to pursue their cause, a charge the group denies.