Restoration work has been ongoing at the Tomb of Askia. They were honored by a visit from the Mayor, who received a celebratory plaque on the restoration work.
On 5th May, the Mali Committee of the Blue Shield celebrated African World Heritage Day in Gao with celebrations at the site of the 15th Century Tomb of Askia. Mamadou Samaké, President of Blue Shield Mali, is the Site Manager , and the visit was carried out in partnership with the National Committee.
It was a wonderful way to raise awareness about the importance of the site.
1. The Parties shall endeavour by appropriate means, and in particular by educational and information programmes, to strengthen appreciation and respect for cultural property by their entire population. 2. The Parties shall disseminate this Protocol as widely as possible, both in time of peace and in time of armed conflict.
The Tomb of Askia, one of four World Heritage sites in Mali, was built when Gao became the capital of the Songhai Empire, after Askia Mohamed had returned from Mecca and made Islam the official religion of the empire. Today is it one of the most protected sites in the world: it is registered on the International List of Cultural Property Under Enhanced Protection, according to the Second Protocol (1999) to the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict (1954). This important international legislation protects cultural heritage of the greatest importance for humanity during armed conflict.
Left: Enhanced protection plaque at the Tomb of Askia (c) Blue Shield Mali
Read more about the World Heritage Listing for the Tomb of Askia on UNESCOs website
Read more about Blue Shields and Enhanced Protection in our Document Library
Or read the UNESCO / Blue Shield International Publication on Distinctive Emblems marking protected cultural property
