The Malian military government has begun the process of returning the historic Timbuktu manuscripts to their original home, over 13 years after they were evacuated to the capital city, Bamako, for safekeeping during militant occupation. The repatriation effort started in August 2025, marking a significant milestone in preserving Mali’s cultural and intellectual heritage.
The manuscripts, numbering more than 27,000, date back as far as the 13th century and encompass a wide array of subjects such as Islamic theology, jurisprudence, astronomy, medicine, mathematics, history, and geography. These documents reflect the rich cultural legacy of the Mali and Songhai empires and are recognized by UNESCO as part of the World Cultural Heritage.
The evacuation of the manuscripts occurred during the 2012 occupation of Timbuktu by Al-Qaeda-linked militants and the Ansar Dine group. While over 4,000 manuscripts were destroyed by militants during this period alongside historical mausoleums and the gate of a mosque, the majority were saved through the courageous and resourceful efforts of local custodians. They transported the documents out of Timbuktu using rice sacks, donkey carts, motorcycles, boats, and vehicles to various safe locations, including archives in Bamako.
The return ceremony held in Timbuktu involved senior Malian officials, including the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Bouréma Kansaye, who described the manuscripts as a legacy linking the intellectual greatness of Timbuktu’s past to future generations. Local authorities emphasized the manuscripts’ vital importance as they embody the civilization’s spiritual and intellectual heritage.
The initial shipment included over 200 crates, totaling approximately 5.5 tons, flown from Bamako to Timbuktu. The return to Timbuktu is expected to continue in subsequent stages, with the city’s dry climate providing better preservation conditions than the humid capital.
This repatriation follows Mali’s ongoing efforts to protect and promote these invaluable cultural assets amid security challenges, including persistent militant threats in the region. The manuscripts are also set to be digitized and studied to ensure their preservation and global accessibility.
The return of the Timbuktu manuscripts symbolizes a poignant restoration of Mali’s cultural sovereignty and a renewed commitment to safeguarding historical treasures for the enlightenment of Mali, Africa, and the world.
This development comes after the International Criminal Court sentenced a militant leader in 2024 for war crimes related to the destruction during the occupation, underscoring the broader efforts for justice and cultural preservation in Mali.
