TO say that militants from al-Qaeda or its affiliates are active “from here (insert location) to Timbuktu” may be a bit of a stretch, once. But apparently not any more, at least not since the last week or two. Islamist militants struck in several locations in Mali and neighbouring Algeria, killing, maiming and destroying as they kidnapped dozens of foreigners and held locals captive.
Mali is a landlocked, underdeveloped African country where slavery persists and half the population lives in poverty. With little infrastructure, its economy hinges on the traditional occupations of farming and fishing.