VOICED : Timbuktu manuscripts face an uncertain future

In January 2013, as French and Malian troops retook Timbuktu, many priceless manuscripts were saved by local families and smuggled to Bamako. These manuscripts, mostly in Arabic, are a testament to the intellectual wealth of the 16th-century University of Sankore. Topics include religion, jurisprudence, and conflict resolution. Efforts are underway to digitize them, but they face climate threats in Bamako. Nearly 28,000 manuscripts are stored at the Ahmed Baba Institute, with plans to return them to Timbuktu once conditions are secure. Restoration of libraries in Timbuktu is ongoing amid northern conflicts.

What significant event occurred in January 2013 involving Timbuktu?

How were the manuscripts preserved during the conflict?

What topics do the manuscripts cover?

What challenges do the manuscripts face in their current storage conditions?

What is the future outlook for the return of the manuscripts to Timbuktu?