*Part2 Timbuktu: A Cradle Of Pre-colonial Africa, Touched by Unholy Jihad* -Remain resilient in resistance- *Compounding Reflection* So Mali's situation of being on the brink of becoming the first Jihadi state in Africa. That situation, it is off the back of Mali's power vacuum issue, that has plagued the country since the 1960s [independence]. The power vacuum issue has its roots in the ongoing Tuareg people rebellion, which began shortly after Mali gained independence from France. May 14, 1963, the Tuareg nationalists launched *Alfellagha* or the Uprising, with the objective to achieve independence and reclamation of their sovereign nationhood. This gradually opened way for escalation of the situation, especially around the time of the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. That time, it is reported that many weapons fell into the hands of would be Al-Qaida fighters, whom later flowed into Mali's power vacuum issue concentrated Northern region, where the Tuareg were still leading their Uprising. From Algeria the Maghreb AQIM, another extremist group, saw the opportunity to exploit the "Wild, wild North" situation in Mali, and quickly established a strong presence, this subsequently leading to the fall of Timbuktu into Jihadi hands. The difference with the Jihadists to prior occupation of Timbuktu, they sought to destroy the past and set off hard socio-cultural engineering, by imposing strict Sharia Law, subsequently pushing for an all Muslim population. For the Sahel Region, which covers Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, this has bred for it a status quo of being a hub for terrorist activities and cells. *Remember Timbuktu and the Tuareg People* With the various occupations and reclamations that have characterized Timbuktu and its founding peoples, the Tuareg. We ought to remember that it is an on going struggle, living on without the attention of you and i, together with the broader African populous. Jihadists have corrupted the natural flow of events, and now have established a footing in the fabric of the cultural memory of Timbuktu and the Tuareg people. This has set off a potential erosion of Tuareg heritage. ________ *Ahmed Baba library* Having since hitherto housed the intellectual records of the past, It was amongst the main concerns immediately when things escalated in the region. The library staff reportedly had anticipated the threat, and moved most of the manuscripts, around 4000 to 5000 manuscripts to safer locations. Although some burning took place, and indeed some manuscripts were damaged or destroyed, international efforts were made to salvage, restore, and now through digitisation, preserved and availed online these pieces of heritage. *Conclusion* Culturally Timbuktu has a Muslim aspect to its rich cultural tapestry. There has been over centuries of these various occupations here spoken of, been a lot of cultural exchanges. However these exchanges have often blended in with the existing, allowing for the peoples to hold onto their Heritage. Jihad on the other hand, i personally have refused to marry it with any civil ideologies. It as so in Timbuktu and the greater Sahel region, sought to sow the seeds of extremism, whilst strengthening their imperialistic impulse. A militant ideology that should have no room in the Sahel, nor anywhere else in Africa. Historic places, monuments, and artifacts are very important to preserve. They are tokens of one's heritage, a glimpse at the past, a map for how to go forward. Great Zimbabwe is our Timbuktu, along with other areas of similar significance and cultural importance. These are compasses unto which we can determin with, where we come from, where we are, and where we're going. Thank you for reading!