Flame of Peace, Timbuktu
The Flame of Peace or “Flamme de la Paix” is a peace monument located on the northwest part of Timbuktu facing the desert.
This white construction with several guns is the actual place where more than 3000 weapons were burnt at the end of the Tuareg rebellion back in the 1990’s.
The monument recalls the old problem of the Tuaregs and the Mali government. What happened was that in 1960 when Mali got independence from France, the Tuaregs were kind of forgotten by the central power in Bamako, empowered by African leaders from another ethnic group.
Tuareg regions were and are seen as a different part of the country where still strong nomadic and ancient Sahara culture clashes with nowadays politics and country division. Tuareg rebels dropped their demand for autonomy for the Kidal region after the government assured to speed up the development of three northern regions in Mali.
Still in 2008 many Tuareg attacks in the Sahara regions and cities like Gao and Bourem cause Malian army to stay alert. When I got into Gao, I had to go to the police station to register myself with the police chief. Also, Malians from other cities have to register as I went there with a guy from Keyes. He also registered.
The Flame of Peace is right opposite of the hotel I stayed a couple of nights, also, in front of the monument the Sahara starts so if you’re up to some dune trekking go for it.
Monument Flame of Peace in Timbuktu
Monument Flame of Peace in Timbuktu, Mali
Guns in Flame of Peace in Timbuktu
Burnt Guns in Monument Flame of Peace in Timbuktu, Mali
