Timbuktu’s ancient manuscripts return home but security threats remain

When fighters connected to al-Qaeda took over Timbuktu 13 years ago, local families and the staff of the Malian city’s Ahmed Baba Institute of Higher Islamic Studies and Research rescued tens of thousands of ancient manuscripts.

The texts were smuggled to Bamako for safety. Now, after extensive digitisation, most were brought home in August after a request from local leaders and civil society.

It reflected both the city’s pride in…