Mali

Some uncomfortable truths about World Music

31 August 2024 9:00 am

In his masterly, wide-ranging survey, Joe Boyd acknowledges that many artists’ expectations are unrealistic – and that their music is often greeted with contempt by home audiences

The complexities of our colonial legacy

24 February 2024 9:00 am

Weighing the ‘good’ and ‘bad’ effects of British imperialism is a futile exercise, says Sathnam Sanghera. But he comes perilously close to doing just that

Has Putin outplayed Macron in Africa?

23 February 2022 10:15 pm

While the world is focused on Ukraine, Emmanuel Macron has withdrawn all French forces from Mali. Last weekend, thousands of…

Map of West Africa, c.1547, depicting the trading fortress of São Jorge da Mina on the African Gold Coast.

The scramble for Africa goes back many centuries

26 January 2019 9:00 am

A thought kept recurring as I read Toby Green’s fascinating and occasionally frustrating book on the development of West Africa…

Meet the men taking up arms to protect the Middle East’s ancient treasures

12 September 2015 9:00 am

Syrians, Libyans and Malians are risking their lives to save ancient treasures from Islamists – with shamefully little help from us