Having French President Francois Hollande parade like a conquering lion through Timbuktu is not a great idea. Of course Malians and the citizens of Timbuktu are correct to cheer France for having helped drive out the occupiers.  The occupiers committed atrocities against innocent people. They imposed a harsh regime and harmed Timbuktu's great culture and legacy by destroying shrines and irreplaceable manuscripts. Yet critical observers who care about Mali and Africa generally must still ask serious questions.