Military overtones vibrate through Mali's renowned arts festival
STORY: Tens of thousands of people this week flocked to the Malian town of Segou for a week-long celebration of music, art, theater and dance.
It's an annual event - but this time around the Festival sur le Niger has kicked off against the backdrop of uncertainty and a shifting political landscape.
Just days before the festival, Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger formally left ECOWAS.
The West African political and economic bloc had been urging the three neighboring countries to return to democratic rule.
And uncertainty remains over when Mali's military junta will make good on its vow to organize elections.
The three countries have announced a new confederation known as the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and authorities dub this year's festival as the "Week of AES Fraternity."
Portraits of the three junta leaders were splashed on posters throughout the grounds.
Mamou Daffe is Mali's culture minister.
"You are aware of the current context of our country. For over a decade, we have been facing a crisis. Our department, in its overall vision, works across all regions to promote diversity, social cohesion, and coexistence."
Mali is a renowned hub of culture in the region.
However, that vibrant scene is under threat.
Mali and its neighbours have been battling jihadist groups linked to Islamic State and al-Qaeda for more than a decade.
That's in addition to a longer history of Tuareg-led rebellion in Mali's north.
Another of Mali's festivals -- The Festival in the Desert outside Timbuktu -- once attracted thousands of visitors but it has not been held since 2012 when jihadists entered the ancient city.
At the festival, artist Mamadou Thienta has created an installation featuring repaired calabash containers.
"I observed that joining two cracked parts of a calabash or stitching together several fragments symbolizes gathering and unity, which directly relates to reconciliation. Today, in Africa, we dream of understanding, peace, and reconciliation."
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