Isolation and desperation evoke smuggling in Timbuktu

At the crossroads of ancient trade routes, the city of Timbuktu in the West African state of Mali is an intellectual centre of the Muslim world and classified as a World Heritage site. But it is becoming economically isolated.

The rise of extremist groups has killed the tourist industry, and goods from the south battle to reach the city because of the state of the roads... leaving the door wide open to illegal smuggling.

From Timbuktu, the BBC's Laeila Adjovi reports for Africa Business Report.