Sheep prices drop as traders return to Timbuktu

• published: 03 Aug 2015
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LEADIN: Timbuktu's markets are starting to become busy again, as Tuareg livestock traders return to the city. Many of them fled after a failed Tuareg-rebellion in 2012. Locals are happy to see them back - with sheep prices dropping in time for Eid. STORYLINE: Worshippers sit in the sun outside Timbuktu's Grand Mosque for Eid prayers. Attending is the region's governor, Colonel Mamadou Mangara, who listens as the Imam offers prayers of peace for the entire nation, as violence continues in the country. On Friday, gunmen on motorbikes attacked a convoy of Niger's troops who are participating in a UN peacekeeping mission in Mali - killing nine of them. The ambush was the deadliest attack on UN forces in the country yet and was thought to have been carried out by an al-Qaeda-linked group behind numerous attacks in the West African nation. But despite the deaths, progress is said to have been made in reducing some of the tensions. Many local Tuaregs fled the city after a failed Tuareg-backed rebellion in 2012. But now, as talks with Tuareg separatists continue in Algeria, traders and shepherds have returned to Timbuktu. One of those at the market, Bir Mahamane, says it's encouraging to see business being revived. "The market is coming to life again, the animal traders used to be afraid, the animal dealers are the Arabs. They have come back. No one is afraid in Mali anymore," he says. It's also bought an added benefit - sheep prices have dropped. "Overall its going alright, it's going alright. There are enough (sheep) and they are less expensive, less expensive. The prices go from 25,000 CFA (48 US dollars) down to 5,000 CFA (10 US dollars), you can get a good animal for 50,000 CFA (96 US dollars), for 50,000 CFA (96 US dollars), no problem," adds Bir Mahamane. Baba Tandina, who's also at the market, agrees. "Despite the lack of security, we have a lot, a lot of sheep and the prices are affordable. Prices go from 22500 CFA (43 US dollars) up to 75000 CFA (143 US dollars), no more than that. If you go with 25000 CFA (43 US dollars) you'll get a sheep, the more you pay the better it gets. 75000 CFA (143 US dollars) is the top end. Despite the security situation, everyone can get a sheep here, not just in Timbuktu but across the region," he says. Tuareg rebel groups are involved in ongoing talks with the country's government. After the failed rebellion, the groups are now calling for negotiations on the future status for the northern region of Mali, known as Azawad. You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/9aa2e3f8c985911d68a031b6d162d7d1 Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork