How has Mali's cultural festival taken on political significance?

Mali's cultural festival has gained substantial political weight amid regional changes, particularly after Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso withdrew from ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) to form their own alliance. The festival now serves as a platform that emphasizes unity, cultural identity, and regional solidarity among these North African nations. The event has transformed from a purely cultural celebration to a symbol of the new political alignment in the region, with attendees and organizers increasingly focused on themes of unification and shared identity. This shift reflects the broader geopolitical realignment occurring in West Africa as these countries seek to chart their own cooperative path forward.