Fatouma Harber is a Malian human rights defender, teacher and blogger based in Timbuktu, northern Mali. In 2012, while armed Islamist groups occupied the city, she used her blog to denounce the human rights abuses perpetrated against civilians, especially women. 

Initially, Fatouma tried to remain anonymous, but when her blog was nominated for an award, she began using her own name and appearing on radio and television shows. She co-founded the #Mali100Mega movement, which advocates for better and cheaper internet access in Mali, and she founded the Doniblog organisation, a network of Malian bloggers who write mainly about democracy and freedom of expression. Fatouma also founded an organisation called Yermatoum, which campaigns for justice for human rights victims in northern Mali and works for democracy and youth empowerment.

AfricTivistes: As a blogger and human rights defender, any thoughts on what triggered your activism?

Fatouma Harber: It was the need to communicate about what the people of northern Mali, particularly women, were experiencing that convinced me to get more serious about blogging and human rights advocacy.  In April 2012, we found ourselves in a vacuum with “leaders” we didn’t know and who seemed to have anything but universal principles for governing. The Internet was the only way to let the rest of Mali and the world know what was going on. It was this conflict that triggered my dedication. 

How do you assess the impact of your actions on Malian society, especially on women?

I have inspired many young people (girls and boys) to get involved in this altruistic field of human rights defense. There are many junior Timbuktu Woy (that’s my nickname on social media and it means the Lady of Timbuktu) who now want to make the opinion of women and youth known in the management of our State. In addition, I can pride myself on being a public figure who participates in the development of her city (Timbuktu) but also of her country. 

My actions are acknowledged by those in power, even though I don’t really favour them. When a personality like Fatou Bensouda wants to see you when she comes to Timbuktu, just because of an article you have written, you realise that your work has an impact on all levels. 

Mali has gone through a series of coups, how do you perceive the current regime?

I have only one message for them: hold our elections and go back to the barracks, we need all our army for peace and security to return to our country. We need their presence by our side every day. 

AfricTivistes: As a blogger and human rights defender, any thoughts on what triggered your activism?

Fatouma Harber: It was the need to communicate about what the people of northern Mali, particularly women, were experiencing that convinced me to get more serious about blogging and human rights advocacy.  In April 2012, we found ourselves in a vacuum with “leaders” we didn’t know and who seemed to have anything but universal principles for governing. The Internet was the only way to let the rest of Mali and the world know what was going on. It was this conflict that triggered my dedication. 

How do you assess the impact of your actions on Malian society, especially on women?

I have inspired many young people (girls and boys) to get involved in this altruistic field of human rights defense. There are many junior Timbuktu Woy (that’s my nickname on social media and it means the Lady of Timbuktu) who now want to make the opinion of women and youth known in the management of our State. In addition, I can pride myself on being a public figure who participates in the development of her city (Timbuktu) but also of her country. 

My actions are acknowledged by those in power, even though I don’t really favour them. When a personality like Fatou Bensouda wants to see you when she comes to Timbuktu, just because of an article you have written, you realise that your work has an impact on all levels. 

Mali has gone through a series of coups, how do you perceive the current regime?

I have only one message for them: hold our elections and go back to the barracks, we need all our army for peace and security to return to our country. We need their presence by our side every day. 

AfricTivistes: As a blogger and human rights defender, any thoughts on what triggered your activism?

Fatouma Harber: It was the need to communicate about what the people of northern Mali, particularly women, were experiencing that convinced me to get more serious about blogging and human rights advocacy.  In April 2012, we found ourselves in a vacuum with “leaders” we didn’t know and who seemed to have anything but universal principles for governing. The Internet was the only way to let the rest of Mali and the world know what was going on. It was this conflict that triggered my dedication. 

How do you assess the impact of your actions on Malian society, especially on women?

I have inspired many young people (girls and boys) to get involved in this altruistic field of human rights defense. There are many junior Timbuktu Woy (that’s my nickname on social media and it means the Lady of Timbuktu) who now want to make the opinion of women and youth known in the management of our State. In addition, I can pride myself on being a public figure who participates in the development of her city (Timbuktu) but also of her country. 

My actions are acknowledged by those in power, even though I don’t really favour them. When a personality like Fatou Bensouda wants to see you when she comes to Timbuktu, just because of an article you have written, you realise that your work has an impact on all levels. 

Mali has gone through a series of coups, how do you perceive the current regime?

I have only one message for them: hold our elections and go back to the barracks, we need all our army for peace and security to return to our country. We need their presence by our side every day. 

In 2021, during the Third AfricTivistes Summit in Abidjan, you were awarded the Anna Gueye Prize for citizen engagement. What does this recognition mean to you?

This accolade means a lot to me. It shows that the actions I try to carry out for democracy in my country are visible everywhere. This prize tells me that I am on the right path despite all the difficulties, the blows (very low) to keep going. 

What advice would you give to young people for an inclusive, prosperous and peaceful Africa?

I am one of those who think that we ask too much of young people in Africa. When it is necessary to build, when it is necessary to have strength, to rally, we always ask young people to make efforts on behalf of all (young people, adults and old people) but when it is a matter of entrusting responsibilities, we see the excuses to discriminate against these same young people. I would ask them not to let themselves be carried away by this overload of responsibility and to develop themselves, to study, to reach out to the world to acquire what can help them to create a better Africa, but to make sure that they do not become adulterated, without any culture or roots. Peace and prosperity go hand in hand with an original personality. To the young Africans, I will say that we can change the world course by taking up the challenge of educating all our daughters and sons. 

To follow Fatouma Harber :

• Twitter
• Facebook
• Instagram

By Ndeye Fatou Diouf, Digital Content Manager of AfricTivistes