The Festival sur le Niger, a celebrated event in Segou, Mali, draws tens of thousands each February to experience a vibrant week of Malian music, art, theatre, and dance. Held in a town 230 km northeast of Bamako, this year’s edition was especially poignant, taking place against a backdrop of political turmoil in West Africa. Mali, along with Burkina Faso and Niger, recently left the West African bloc ECOWAS and formed a new confederation, the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). The political situation has cast uncertainty on when Mali will hold elections following military-led coups in 2020 and 2021.
The festival, which is less than 100 km from regions affected by jihadist activity, provides a vital space for reflection on the region’s struggles, with attendees discussing the Sahel’s ongoing crisis. Cultural consultant Vincent Koala noted that the festival’s role was to reunite populations after a series of crises. This year’s theme, the “Week of AES Fraternity,” highlighted solidarity between the three countries, with portraits of their leaders adorning the festival grounds.
Mali’s rich cultural heritage has long been recognized, with the country hosting important festivals that have drawn international attention. Minister of Culture Mamou Daffe emphasized Mali’s global cultural significance, asserting that the nation’s cultural richness is more valuable than its natural resources. Despite this, the cultural scene faces challenges, particularly due to the security situation. Festivals like the Festival in the Desert near Timbuktu have been unable to take place since 2012, when jihadists overran the region. Additionally, the Rencontres de Bamako photography biennale struggled without its usual funding after France withdrew support.
Anti-French sentiment has grown under the current government, which has expelled French forces and sought security assistance from Russian mercenaries. A Russian base is reportedly located near Segou, underscoring the shifting geopolitical landscape. Even with these challenges, Mali remains committed to its cultural identity. The government has declared 2025 the “Year of Malian Culture,” an effort to promote national unity and cultural exchange despite ongoing insecurity. Minister Daffe believes that the arts can facilitate both domestic and international dialogue, with festivals like the one in Segou playing a crucial role in showcasing Mali’s enduring cultural resilience.
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