Foreign Correspondent

Mali: The Road to Timbuktu (1) (2013x11)

Air date: Apr 16, 2013

It’s come to symbolise the ultimate back of beyond. Timbuktu. But recently the far away place was catapulted front and centre into world focus as Islamic militants laid siege to the place and aimed to take control of the rest of magical, mystical, musical Mali. Islamist control would see a treasure-trove of antiquities and important historical documents obliterated and there's little doubt the music too would die. According to some, it would almost certainly become the Afghanistan of Africa and a new entrenched frontier of Al Qaeda and terrorism. It appears the old colonial power in these parts, France, has managed to wrest Mali back from oblivion, but is it not safe and sound. In one of Foreign Correspondent’s most challenging journeys, we go in search of the spirit and essence of amazing Mali, all the long, long way to Timbuktu.