Timbuktu

The article highlights Africa's historical leaders, including empire builders, thinkers, and diplomats, who contributed to civilizations and global history. It notes that pre-modern Africa had established political, trading, and intellectual networks spanning regions like Timbuktu and Great Zimbabwe.

Mali's military junta is facing a serious security challenge due to coordinated attacks by jihadist group JNIM and its Tuareg ally FLA across northern Mali. The attacks have raised concerns about the government's ability to contain the insurgency.