KEY POINTS
- Mali’s Festival sur le Niger was marked by political tensions.
- The country’s arts scene struggles due to security and funding cuts.
- The government sees culture as a diplomatic and national unifier.
Thousands of people gathered in Segou, Mali, for the annual Festival sur le Niger, a week-long celebration of music, visual art, theater, and dance.
But this year’s festival was overshadowed by political shifts and security concerns, as Mali and its neighbors—Burkina Faso and Niger—formally exited the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and announced a new alliance.
The event, typically a vibrant cultural hub, took on a political tone, with portraits of the three junta leaders prominently displayed across festival grounds.
According to Reuters, authorities dubbed the celebration the “Week of AES Fraternity,” referencing the newly formed Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
While many attendees came to enjoy the music and artistry, the political backdrop was impossible to ignore.
Mali’s security situation remains precarious. Less than 100 kilometers from Segou, jihadist groups continue to operate, raising concerns about safety.
Yet, the festival’s organizers insist that the event is about unity and resilience, offering a space for dialogue and cultural exchange in a time of uncertainty.
Mali’s arts scene faces growing threats
Once known as a global center for music and cultural expression, Mali’s artistic landscape has been under pressure for over a decade.
Jihadist forces, who seized northern Mali territories in 2012, caused the suspension of the musical event Festival in the Desert near Timbuktu, which attracted thousands of international guests every year.
Also, the Rencontres de Bamako photography biennale faced difficulties this year because it lost essential funding from France.
This shift is largely due to the Malian junta’s anti-French stance and decision to cut ties with French military forces in favor of partnerships with Russian mercenaries.
A boat carrying both Malian and Russian national flags sailed along the Niger River at this year’s ceremony to indicate changing diplomatic arrangements.
Additionally, a Russian mercenary base located 20 kilometers from Segou illustrates how Mali’s political situation connects cultural and geopolitical elements.
Government pushes culture amid political uncertainty
The junta leader Assimi Goita has announced that 2025 will mark the “Year of Malian Culture” despite Mali facing economic and security issues.
Culture Minister Mamou Daffe, who established the festival declared, that arts and culture should serve as essential tools to advance diplomacy and national identity.
“Mali is a cultural powerhouse, and our stories and traditions are more valuable than gold and oil,” Daffe said.
Through cultural diplomacy, he believes that Mali will strengthen domestic and international relations while exploring diplomatic tensions.
Through the festival, Mali declares its cultural identity by showcasing talent as well as demonstrating an act of resistance against political turmoil and external pressures.
