As rebels made their gains farther north, notably capturing the towns of Léré, Andéramboukane, and Ménaka without resistance, the Malian army made a series of tactical retreats planning to reorganize and defend Niafunké, which holds a key location between the government controlled areas of the Timbuktu Region and the more rebel presences' areas of the east.
Nema is close to the Malian border and there is constant traffic, either heading south to Mali via Adel Bagrou, East to Bassikounou and Léré (Mali) or north to the ancient town of Oualata (pronounced Walata).
Léré | Léré, Mali |