The International Criminal Court, ICC on Tuesday handed over a symbolic euro to the Government of Mali and UNESCO for damage inflicted on the people of the Sahel country and the international community by the destruction of cultural properties in Timbuktu in 2012.

The ceremony in Bamako, coincides with a new three-year project to further secure the mausoleums, (mosoliums) drawing from about 2.7 million euros in reparations from an ICC victims' fund.

Authorities say the destruction of the World Heritage-listed sites was also a financial blow to Timbuktu residents, crippling tourism in the famous desert city.

Adolphus Mawolo reports.