Adams County seeks sister city partnership with Timbuktu and Guinea

The Adams County Board of Supervisors convened on July 7, 2025, to discuss various community initiatives, with a significant focus on establishing a sister city relationship with communities in Guinea and Timbuktu. The meeting highlighted the importance of reconnecting historic communities, particularly the Washington community in Adams County and their counterparts in Timbogenie and Timbuktu, which have deep cultural and historical ties.

A representative presented a proposal to join Sister Cities International, an organization founded in 1956 to promote global friendship and understanding. The initiative aims to foster cultural and educational exchanges, as well as economic development opportunities between the communities. The representative emphasized that the connection would help bridge the historical disconnections caused by the enslavement period, allowing families to reconnect and share their heritage.

The proposal outlined three main objectives: first, to enhance cultural exchange, which has already begun with the U.S. Embassy facilitating visits from relatives in Guinea; second, to promote educational exchanges, leveraging historical documents from Timbuktu's ancient university that are currently displayed in Mississippi; and third, to pursue economic development and trade missions supported by the U.S. Embassy.

The cost to join Sister Cities International was noted, starting at $190 and increasing to $600 based on community population. The board acknowledged the potential benefits of this initiative, which could enrich the local community through enhanced cultural understanding and economic opportunities.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to further explore the proposal and its implications for Adams County, signaling a step towards strengthening international ties and fostering community development.