In Pictures
In pictures: Scenes from Mali
Meet a nation struggling for an ordinary life while caught amid war and international diplomacy.
Last Modified: 05 Feb 2013 12:05

Bamako, Mali - Despite the constant reminders of an ongoing war in the North, daily life in Bamako and in many of Mali's other major cities continues, for the most part, as normal.
 
Yet political turmoil and fears that recent military victories may be short-lived have ensured that the mood in the West African country remains cautious. While French and Malian forces have made rapid advances, the threat of a conventional war turning into a shadowy insurgency looms over the population.
 
Regardless, a recent visit by French President Francois Hollande, and a victory by the Malian football team to secure a semi-final spot in the Africa Cup of Nations, have lifted the mood greatly across the country. 
 
The following photos reflect a population caught in the middle of international diplomacy, war and everyday life.
George Henton/Al Jazeera
A man watches as a local football team plays a match in the area of Badalabougou, in Bamako.


George Henton/Al Jazeera
A man plays boules in the gardens of the Cultural Palace in Bamako.


George Henton/Al Jazeera
Two young children play by the side of the River Niger as it runs through the middle of the Malian capital, Bamako.


George Henton/Al Jazeera
A woman pauses underneath the Malian and French flags which are displayed side by side throughout Bamako.


George Henton/Al Jazeera
A man sings at a crowded local bar in Bamako.


George Henton/Al Jazeera
Two children pose at the port in the city of Mopti, the gateway to much of the North of the country.


George Henton/Al Jazeera
A crowd of children forms at a small village outside of Sevare in central Mali.


George Henton/Al Jazeera
Children at a small village between the cities of Bamako and Segou peer through the window of a press vehicle.


George Henton/Al Jazeera
A woman with her child sit in a crowded bus as they travel south, away from the violence of the North.


George Henton/Al Jazeera
United States Air Force pilots prepare to depart from Bamako-Senou Airport in a C17 transport aircraft.


George Henton/Al Jazeera
French soldiers stand guard near the entrance of a French military base at Bamako-Senou Airport.


George Henton/Al Jazeera
A French Army resupply convoy travels north from Segou to Gao.


George Henton/Al Jazeera
A Malian solider stands guard at Bamako-Senou airport as French President Francois Hollande was due to land.


George Henton/Al Jazeera
A man shows his support for the French military intervention before a speech by French President Francois Hollande at the Place de L'independance in Bamako.


George Henton/Al Jazeera
French President Francois Hollande speaks at the Place de L'independance in Bamako.


George Henton/Al Jazeera
Jubilant crowds greet French President Francois Hollande at the Place de L'independance in Bamako.


George Henton/Al Jazeera
Crowds celebrate at the Place de L'independance in Bamako after listening to a speech by French President Francois Hollande.


George Henton/Al Jazeera
Exuberant crowds celebrate Mali's victory over South Africa in the Quarter Finals of the Africa Cup of Nations.


Follow photographer George Henton on Twitter: @georgehenton
images:
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captions:
A man watches as a local football team plays a match in the area of Badalabougou, in Bamako.;*;A man plays boules in the gardens of the Cultural Palace in Bamako.;*;Two young children play by the side of the River Niger as it runs through the middle of the Malian capital, Bamako.;*;A woman pauses underneath the Malian and French flags which are displayed side by side throughout Bamako.;*;A man sings at a crowded local bar in Bamako.;*;Two children pose at the port in the city of Mopti, the gateway to much of the North of the country.;*;A crowd of children forms at a small village outside of Sevare in central Mali.;*;Children at a small village between the cities of Bamako and Segou peer through the window of a press vehicle.;*;A woman with her child sit in a crowded bus as they travel south, away from the violence of the North.;*;United States Air Force pilots prepare to depart from Bamako-Senou Airport in a C17 transport aircraft.;*;French soldiers stand guard near the entrance of a French military base at Bamako-Senou Airport.;*;A French Army resupply convoy travels north from Segou to Gao.;*;A Malian solider stands guard at Bamako-Senou airport as French President Francois Hollande was due to land.;*;A man shows his support for the French military intervention before a speech by French President Francois Hollande at the Place de L\(***)independance in Bamako.;*;French President Francois Hollande speaks at the Place de L\(***)independance in Bamako.;*;Jubilant crowds greet French President Francois Hollande at the Place de L\(***)independance in Bamako.;*;Crowds celebrate at the Place de L\(***)independance in Bamako after listening to a speech by French President Francois Hollande.;*;Exuberant crowds celebrate Mali\(***)s victory over South Africa in the Quarter Finals of the Africa Cup of Nations. Daylife ID:
1359994995213
Photographer:
George Henton;*;George Henton;*;George Henton;*;George Henton;*;George Henton;*;George Henton;*;George Henton;*;George Henton;*;George Henton;*;George Henton;*;George Henton;*;George Henton;*;George Henton;*;George Henton;*;George Henton;*;George Henton;*;George Henton;*;George Henton
Image Source:
Al Jazeera;*;Al Jazeera;*;Al Jazeera;*;Al Jazeera;*;Al Jazeera;*;Al Jazeera;*;Al Jazeera;*;Al Jazeera;*;Al Jazeera;*;Al Jazeera;*;Al Jazeera;*;Al Jazeera;*;Al Jazeera;*;Al Jazeera;*;Al Jazeera;*;Al Jazeera;*;Al Jazeera;*;Al Jazeera
Gallery Source:
Daylife
Daylife Raw Data:
Mali-updatehttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Mali_updateen-usAl Jazeerafeedback@daylife.com10Mon, 04 Feb 2013 16:23:15 GMTMon, 04 Feb 2013 16:49:41 GMT http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Mali_update?image_id=05ZMca33sVdenA man watches as a local football team plays a match in the area of Badalabougou, in Bamako.Mon, 04 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Mali_update?image_id=05ZMca33sVdenGeorge HentonAl JazeeraAl Jazeera Upload ImagesA man watches as a local football team plays a match in the area of Badalabougou, in Bamako. http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Mali_update?image_id=0glpd4ifbHabXA man plays boules in the gardens of the Cultural Palace in Bamako.Mon, 04 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Mali_update?image_id=0glpd4ifbHabXGeorge HentonAl JazeeraAl Jazeera Upload ImagesA man plays boules in the gardens of the Cultural Palace in Bamako. http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Mali_update?image_id=0fQOgbT1WBbTXTwo young children play by the side of the River Niger as it runs through the middle of the Malian capital, Bamako.Mon, 04 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Mali_update?image_id=0fQOgbT1WBbTXGeorge HentonAl JazeeraAl Jazeera Upload ImagesTwo young children play by the side of the River Niger as it runs through the middle of the Malian capital, Bamako. http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Mali_update?image_id=03hZe8gcDr7TuA woman pauses underneath the Malian and French flags which are displayed side by side throughout Bamako.Mon, 04 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Mali_update?image_id=03hZe8gcDr7TuGeorge HentonAl JazeeraAl Jazeera Upload ImagesA woman pauses underneath the Malian and French flags which are displayed side by side throughout Bamako. http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Mali_update?image_id=0fjhdTT4kNeYcA man sings at a crowded local bar in Bamako.Mon, 04 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Mali_update?image_id=0fjhdTT4kNeYcGeorge HentonAl JazeeraAl Jazeera Upload ImagesA man sings at a crowded local bar in Bamako. http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Mali_update?image_id=0cdS8927X876lTwo children pose at the port in the city of Mopti, the gateway to much of the North of the country.Mon, 04 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Mali_update?image_id=0cdS8927X876lGeorge HentonAl JazeeraAl Jazeera Upload ImagesTwo children pose at the port in the city of Mopti, the gateway to much of the North of the country. http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Mali_update?image_id=01PaaaEaDj9oEA crowd of children forms at a small village outside of Sevare in central Mali.Mon, 04 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Mali_update?image_id=01PaaaEaDj9oEGeorge HentonAl JazeeraAl Jazeera Upload ImagesA crowd of children forms at a small village outside of Sevare in central Mali. http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Mali_update?image_id=099OfPZdROe3ZChildren at a small village between the cities of Bamako and Segou peer through the window of a press vehicle.Mon, 04 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Mali_update?image_id=099OfPZdROe3ZGeorge HentonAl JazeeraAl Jazeera Upload ImagesChildren at a small village between the cities of Bamako and Segou peer through the window of a press vehicle. http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Mali_update?image_id=06kCdCl1vXahSA woman with her child sit in a crowded bus as they travel south, away from the violence of the North.Mon, 04 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Mali_update?image_id=06kCdCl1vXahSGeorge HentonAl JazeeraAl Jazeera Upload ImagesA woman with her child sit in a crowded bus as they travel south, away from the violence of the North. http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Mali_update?image_id=09CQfHtcNz30fUnited States Air Force pilots prepare to depart from Bamako-Senou Airport in a C17 transport aircraft.Mon, 04 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Mali_update?image_id=09CQfHtcNz30fGeorge HentonAl JazeeraAl Jazeera Upload ImagesUnited States Air Force pilots prepare to depart from Bamako-Senou Airport in a C17 transport aircraft. http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Mali_update?image_id=0agS5HL2tugVXFrench soldiers stand guard near the entrance of a French military base at Bamako-Senou Airport.Mon, 04 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Mali_update?image_id=0agS5HL2tugVXGeorge HentonAl JazeeraAl Jazeera Upload ImagesFrench soldiers stand guard near the entrance of a French military base at Bamako-Senou Airport. http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Mali_update?image_id=09A23gGgyRgGR

A French Army resupply convoy travels north from Segou to Gao.

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Mali_update?image_id=09A23gGgyRgGRGeorge HentonAl JazeeraAl Jazeera Upload Images

A French Army resupply convoy travels north from Segou to Gao.

 http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Mali_update?image_id=0cPn9EdbERglUA Malian solider stands guard at Bamako-Senou airport as French President Francois Hollande was due to land.Mon, 04 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Mali_update?image_id=0cPn9EdbERglUGeorge HentonAl JazeeraAl Jazeera Upload ImagesA Malian solider stands guard at Bamako-Senou airport as French President Francois Hollande was due to land. http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Mali_update?image_id=02KaciG7l6bhLA man shows his support for the French military intervention before a speech by French President Francois Hollande at the Place de L'independance in Bamako.Mon, 04 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Mali_update?image_id=02KaciG7l6bhLGeorge HentonAl JazeeraAl Jazeera Upload ImagesA man shows his support for the French military intervention before a speech by French President Francois Hollande at the Place de L'independance in Bamako. http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Mali_update?image_id=02hNdtUcTw9c9

French President Francois Hollande speaks at the Place de L'independance in Bamako.

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Mali_update?image_id=02hNdtUcTw9c9George HentonAl JazeeraAl Jazeera Upload Images

French President Francois Hollande speaks at the Place de L'independance in Bamako.

 http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Mali_update?image_id=06PO22IcqC98aJubilant crowds greet French President Francois Hollande at the Place de L'independance in Bamako.Mon, 04 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Mali_update?image_id=06PO22IcqC98aGeorge HentonAl JazeeraAl Jazeera Upload ImagesJubilant crowds greet French President Francois Hollande at the Place de L'independance in Bamako. http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Mali_update?image_id=0blDgoX7jhbaTCrowds celebrate at the Place de L'independance in Bamako after listening to a speech by French President Francois Hollande.Mon, 04 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Mali_update?image_id=0blDgoX7jhbaTGeorge HentonAl JazeeraAl Jazeera Upload ImagesCrowds celebrate at the Place de L'independance in Bamako after listening to a speech by French President Francois Hollande. http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Mali_update?image_id=02rW2TgbK2fe0Exuberant crowds celebrate Mali's victory over South Africa in the Quarter Finals of the Africa Cup of Nations.Mon, 04 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/Mali_update?image_id=02rW2TgbK2fe0George HentonAl JazeeraAl Jazeera Upload ImagesExuberant crowds celebrate Mali's victory over South Africa in the Quarter Finals of the Africa Cup of Nations.

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