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State of Conservation Tomb of Askia 2018

Tomb of Askia

Mali
Factors affecting the property in 2018*
  • Deliberate destruction of heritage
  • Management systems/ management plan
  • War
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
  • Lack of site management
  • Armed conflict
Threats for which the property was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger
  • Occupation of Gao city by armed groups
  • Inability to ensure daily management in the protection and conservation of the property
  • Risk of collapse of the property
Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger

In progress

Corrective Measures for the property

Adopted, see page https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/6623 

Timeframe for the implementation of the corrective measures
In progress
UNESCO Extra-Budgetary Funds until 2018

Total amount granted: UNESCO Emergency Fund: USD 40,000; Action plan for the rehabilitation of cultural heritage and the safeguarding of ancient manuscripts in Mali: USD 50,000

International Assistance: requests for the property until 2018
Requests approved: 4 (from 2000-2018)
Total amount approved : 79,822 USD
2018 RÉUNION DE VALIDATION DES PLANS DE GESTION ET DE ... (Approved)   1,037 USD
2018 Restauration et mise en valeur du Tombeau des Askia à ... (Approved)   24,585 USD
2012 Assistance internationale d’urgence pour la protection ... (Approved)   24,200 USD
2000 Préparation d'un dossier d'inscription pour le Tombeau ... (Approved)   30,000 USD
Missions to the property until 2018**

May 2012: Emergency UNESCO mission to Bamako; October and December 2012: World Heritage Centre monitoring missions to Bamako; February 2014: UNESCO assessment mission to Gao; April 2017: UNESCO Expert mission to assess the state of conservation of Mali's World Heritage properties

2014 Report on the Joint UNESCO- Mali assessment mission, Tomb of Askia
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2018

On 31 January 2018, responding to Decision 41 COM 7A.30, the State Party submitted a report on the state of conservation of the property, completed by a report submitted on 3 March 2018, available at http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1139/documents/. These reports provide the following information:

  • A 2018-2022 Management and Conservation Plan was prepared in close cooperation with the local community;
  • In August 2017, a part of the roof of the men’s mosque collapsed. Emergency repairs carried out to avoid further damage and a joint mission of UNESCO Bamako/National Directorate of Cultural Heritage (DNPC) of Mali was sent to the site the following month to evaluate the damage and assess the general state of conservation of the property;
  • A request for International Assistance was submitted by the State Party and approved in 2018, to enable the commencement of the repair work on the roof, maintenance of the pyramid tower and regeneration of hasu trees;
  • Various work has been carried out on the Necropolis, in particular to avoid water erosion (re-excavation of the canal to drain rainwater, rehabilitation of the drainage area of the women’s mosque, development of water drainage canals along the wall of the enclosure);
  • Restoration work of the men’s prayer area has been carried out, as well as the clean-up activity and rehabilitation of some tombs;
  • The plastering of the property was carried out on 14 April 2018;
  • An enclosure wall was constructed to protect the Tomb and its surroundings against roaming animals and the deposit of domestic waste in the courtyard of the property by the populations;
  • A capacity-building workshop to combat looting and illicit traffic of cultural property, involving the community, was held in December 2017;
  • An inventory study of movable heritage and an emergency plan was undertaken in July 2017;
  • Management capacities have benefited from support from the Agency for the Promotion of Youth Employment that made available a trainee.

Due to security conditions, the UNESCO/ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring mission requested by the Committee, was not organized.  However, in April 2017 an expert was assigned by UNESCO to carry out a field mission to assess the situation at the property (the mission report is available at http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1139/documents/).

Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 2018

Since the last report in 2017 on the state of conservation of the property, the State Party has increased its efforts in the conservation and management of the property, and this in a continuingly difficult security context. The report submitted informed that among the 10 corrective measures adopted by the Committee (Decision 40 COM 7A.7), eight are being implemented, in comparison to three in the preceding year. Thus, it is recommended that the Committee congratulate the State Party. Among the major achievements, the preparation of a new Management and Conservation Plan that potentially will have a beneficial impact for the conservation of the property, is to be particularly noted, on the condition that sufficient funds are made available for its implementation. Restoration and improvement measures of the physical components of the property are also to be acknowledged, specifically those aimed at the combat against water erosion, clean-up activities and the construction of the enclosure wall to counter degradation effects on the Necropolis of the mosque and the insalubrity of the esplanade.

Greater efforts given to the involvement of the community are also appreciated, notably in the management of the property, now formalized through the new Management and Conservation Plan, or again in the combat against illicit traffic of cultural property.

Nevertheless, several concerns remain, first and foremost being the collapse of the roof of the men’s mosque that is an indicator of continuing degradation risks to the Necropolis due to water erosion, despite the measures undertaken. This is the third of a series of collapses all concerning the first span of the building.

Indeed, the mission report sent in September 2017 attributed the main cause for the collapse of the pillar and the roof to the lack of an appropriate conservation and safeguarding operational device that would have enabled, through regular inspections, to ascertain early signs of the fragility of this pillar and undertake appropriate measures.  Therefore, it is important to ensure regular inspection of the property and the preparation of a conservation handbook of the property components indicating the periodic assessment mechanism of its state of conservation. This constitutes one of the corrective measures that has not yet been initiated.

Moreover, it is recommended that in response to the extremely difficult conditions prevailing at the site and the comparative isolation of staff, the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies explore the possibility of setting up a short-term distance support programme in order to allow dialogue on capacity-building and the drafting of the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR).

Finally, despite granting International Assistance for emergency intervention at the property, funding needs remain important. It is therefore necessary to reinforce efforts to mobilize funds for the conservation of the property and the implementation of the Management and Conservation Plan. Thus, it is recommended that the Committee renew its appeal to the international community to contribute in the implementation of the second phase of the Action Plan for the rehabilitation of cultural heritage and the safeguarding of the ancient manuscripts of Mali (2017-2020).

In view of all these conservation problems, it is recommended that the Committee maintain the property on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2018
42 COM 7A.15
Tomb of the Askia (Mali) (C 1139)

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC/18/42.COM/7A,
  2. Recalling Decision 41 COM 7A.30, adopted at its 41st session (Krakow, 2017),
  3. Takes note of the progress recorded (or carried out) in the implementation by the State Party of the corrective measures adopted at its 40th session, in a continuing difficult security context in northern Mali, in particular the restoration and improvement of the physical components of the property, the action to combat water erosion, the clean-up activity and the construction of the enclosure wall, and encourages the State Party to continue these actions with support from its partners;
  4. Congratulates the State Party for the preparation of the new 2018-2022 Management and Conservation Plan, as well as in increasing the involvement of the local community in actions carried out for the benefit of the property;
  5. Notes with satisfaction the submission by the State Party, and the granting, of International Assistance for the restoration and enhancement of the property, specifically the repair of the damaged roof, the maintenance of the pyramid tower and the regeneration of the basu trees;
  6. Expresses its concern about the continuing degradation risks to the Necropolis due to water erosion, despite measures undertaken, and notably following the collapse of the roof of the men’s mosque in August 2017, and also encourages the State Party to pursue the implementation of the corrective measures with particular attention to the regular inspection of the property and the development of a conservation handbook on the components of the property, indicating the periodic assessment mechanism of its state of conservation;
  7. Launches an appeal to the international community to support the efforts of the State Party and contribute towards the implementation of the second phase of the Programme for the rehabilitation of the cultural heritage and the safeguarding of the ancient manuscripts of Mali;
  8. Further encourages the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies to explore the possibility of setting up a short-term distance support programme, in order to allow dialogue on capacity building and on drafting the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR);
  9. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2019, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above points, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 43rd session in 2019;
  10. Decides to pursue the application of the Reinforced Monitoring Mechanism for the property;
  11. Also decides to retain the Tomb of Askia (Mali) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Read more
42 COM 8C.2
Update of the List of World Heritage in Danger (Retained Properties)

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined the state of conservation reports of properties inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger (WHC/18/42.COM/7A, WHC/18/42.COM/7A.Add and WHC/18/42.COM/7A.Add.2),
  2. Decides to retain the following properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger:
  • Afghanistan, Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley (Decision 42 COM 7A.1)
  • Afghanistan, Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam (Decision 42 COM 7A.2)
  • Austria, Historic Centre of Vienna (Decision 42 COM 7A.5)
  • Bolivia (Plurinational State of), City of Potosí (Decision 42 COM 7A.8)
  • Central African Republic, Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park (Decision 42 COM 7A.45)
  • Chile, Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works (Decision 42 COM 7A.9)
  • Côte d'Ivoire / Guinea, Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve (Decision 42 COM 7A.46)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Garamba National Park (Decision 42 COM 7A.47)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kahuzi-Biega National Park (Decision 42 COM 7A.48)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Okapi Wildlife Reserve (Decision 42 COM 7A.49)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Salonga National Park (Decision 42 COM 7A.50)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Virunga National Park (Decision 42 COM 7A.51)
  • Egypt, Abu Mena (Decision 42 COM 7A.17)
  • Honduras, Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve (Decision 42 COM 7A.44)
  • Indonesia, Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra (Decision 42 COM 7A.40)
  • Iraq, Ashur (Qal'at Sherqat) (Decision 42 COM 7A.18)
  • Iraq, Hatra (Decision 42 COM 7A.19)
  • Iraq, Samarra Archaeological City (Decision 42 COM 7A.20)
  • Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls (site proposed by Jordan) (Decision 42 COM 7A.21)
  • Libya, Archaeological Site of Cyrene (Decision 42 COM 7A.22)
  • Libya, Archaeological Site of Leptis Magna (Decision 42 COM 7A.23)
  • Libya, Archaeological Site of Sabratha (Decision 42 COM 7A.24)
  • Libya, Old Town of Ghadamès (Decision 42 COM 7A.25)
  • Libya, Rock-Art Sites of Tadrart Acacus (Decision 42 COM 7A.26)
  • Madagascar, Rainforests of the Atsinanana (Decision 42 COM 7A.53)
  • Mali, Old Towns of Djenné (Decision 42 COM 7A.13)
  • Mali, Timbuktu (Decision 42 COM 7A.14)
  • Mali, Tomb of Askia (Decision 42 COM 7A.15)
  • Micronesia (Federated States of), Nan Madol: Ceremonial Centre of Eastern Micronesia (Decision 42 COM 7A.3)
  • Niger, Aïr and Ténéré Natural Reserves (Decision 42 COM 7A.54)
  • Palestine, Birthplace of Jesus: Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route, Bethlehem (Decision 42 COM 7A.27)
  • Palestine, Palestine: Land of Olives and Vines – Cultural Landscape of Southern Jerusalem, Battir (Decision 42 COM 7A.29)
  • Palestine, Hebron/Al-Khalil Old Town (Decision 42 COM 7A.28)
  • Panama, Fortifications on the Caribbean Side of Panama: Portobelo-San Lorenzo (Decision 42 COM 7A.10)
  • Peru, Chan Chan Archaelogical Zone (Decision 42 COM 7A.11)
  • Senegal, Niokolo-Koba National Park (Decision 42 COM 7A.55)
  • Serbia, Medieval Monuments in Kosovo (Decision 42 COM 7A.6)
  • Solomon Islands, East Rennell (Decision 42 COM 7A.41)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Aleppo (Decision 42 COM 7A.30)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Bosra (Decision 42 COM 7A.31)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Damascus (Decision 42 COM 7A.32)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient Villages of Northern Syria (Decision 42 COM 7A.33)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din (Decision 42 COM 7A.34)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Site of Palmyra (Decision 42 COM 7A.35)
  • Uganda, Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi (Decision 42 COM 7A.16)
  • United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Liverpool – Maritime Mercantile City (Decision 42 COM 7A.7)
  • United Republic of Tanzania, Selous Game Reserve (Decision 42 COM 7A.56)
  • United States of America, Everglades National Park (Decision 42 COM 7A.42)
  • Uzbekistan, Historic Centre of Shakhrisyabz (Decision 42 COM 7A.4)
  • Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Coro and its Port (Decision 42 COM 7A.12)
  • Yemen, Historic Town of Zabid (Decision 42 COM 7A.37)
  • Yemen, Old City of Sana’a (Decision 42 COM 7A.38)
  • Yemen, Old Walled City of Shibam (Decision 42 COM 7A.39)
Read more
Draft Decision: 42 COM 7A.15

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC/18/42.COM/7A,
  2. Recalling Decision 41 COM 7A.30, adopted at its 41st session (Krakow, 2017),
  3. Takes note of the progress recorded (or carried out) in the implementation by the State Party of the corrective measures adopted at its 40th session, in a continuing difficult security context in northern Mali, in particular the restoration and improvement of the physical components of the property, the action to combat water erosion, the clean-up activity and the construction of the enclosure wall, and encourages the State Party to continue these actions with support from its partners;
  4. Congratulates the State Party for the preparation of the new 2018-2022 Management and Conservation Plan, as well as in increasing the involvement of the local community in actions carried out for the benefit of the property;
  5. Notes with satisfaction the submission by the State Party, and the granting, of International Assistance for the restoration  and enhancement of the property, specifically the repair of the damaged roof, the maintenance of the pyramid tower and the regeneration of the basu trees;
  6. Expresses its concern about the continuing degradation risks to the Necropolis due to water erosion, despite measures undertaken, and notably following the collapse of the roof of the men’s mosque in August 2017, and also encourages the State Party to pursue the implementation of the corrective measures with particular attention to the regular inspection of the property and the development of a conservation handbook on the components of the property, indicating the periodic assessment mechanism of its state of conservation;
  7. Launches an appeal to the international community to support the efforts of the State Party and contribute towards the implementation of the second phase of the Programme for the rehabilitation of the cultural heritage and the safeguarding of the ancient manuscripts of Mali;
  8. Further encourages the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies to explore the possibility of setting up a short-term distance support programme, in order to allow dialogue on capacity building and on drafting the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR);
  9. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2019, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above points, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 43rd session in 2019;
  10. Decides to pursue the application of the Reinforced Monitoring Mechanism for the property;
  11. Also decides to retain Tomb of Askia (Mali) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Previous 2017 Next 2019
Report year: 2018
Mali
Date of Inscription: 2004
Category: Cultural
Criteria: (ii)(iii)(iv)
Danger List (dates): 2012-present
Documents examined by the Committee
WHC/18/42.COM/7A
SOC Report by the State Party
Report (2018) .pdf
arrow_circle_right 42COM (2018)
Exports
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* : The threats indicated are listed in alphabetical order; their order does not constitute a classification according to the importance of their impact on the property.
Furthermore, they are presented irrespective of the type of threat faced by the property, i.e. with specific and proven imminent danger (“ascertained danger”) or with threats which could have deleterious effects on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (“potential danger”).

** : All mission reports are not always available electronically.


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