The Malian state pays tribute to an Islamic judge from Timbuktu close to the jihadists

In the streets of the Djingareyber district, in Timbuktu, in March 2021. © RFI / David Baché

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Mali has honored an Islamic judge who served for the jihadists in 2012 and who remains under UN sanctions.

24 hours after having asked in particular for teaching in Arabic and the separation of girls and boys in classes for the reopening of many closed schools in the region of Timbuktu, Houka Houka Ag Alhousseini was celebrated like other personalities in the city of the same name by the Malian state, although secular.

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With our regional correspondent,

Wrapped in a white boubou, a big turban of the same color on his head, the judge received from the hands of the governor of Timbuktu, the local representative of the State, his " 

 ".

It reads: " 

 ".

In the name of national reconciliation, a page has been turned.

The former Islamic judge of

, in office in 2012 during the occupation of the land by the jihadists and

, is rehabilitated by the Malian state.

One of the sentences he had pronounced at the time had led to the amputation of the hand of the young Mahamane Dédéou, author of a larceny.

More recently, Houka Kouka, who has remained very influential in the same region of Timbuktu,

for reasons of insecurity:

, the teaching of Islamic law and the Koran.

And as if to make himself heard, during the ceremonies during which he was honored like others, he launched: " 

 ”.

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• mali

• Terrorism