The Organisation of World Heritage Cities (OWHC) is delighted to announce Timbuktu’s return as a member city in good standing.

This reinstatement follows on from discussions held during the meeting of sub-Saharan African cities organised in Lamu (Kenya) in December 2025. The participation of Mr. Yéhia Tandina, Mayor of Timbuktu, and Mr. El-Boukhari Ben Essayouti, Head of the Timbuktu Cultural Mission, at the meeting marked an important step in strengthening ties with the Organisation. The city’s representatives expressed their desire to renew their collaboration with the OWHC and to contribute actively to the network’s work.

Timbuktu’s return follows the recent accession of the cities of Djenné (Mali), Agadez (Niger) and Saint-Louis (Senegal), which joined the Organisation earlier this year, thereby strengthening the African presence within the network. In addition to the other members, the OWHC now has six members in good standing from the sub-Saharan African region.