Bono Performs in Timbukto Even As Terrorist Threats Keep Crowds Small

Bono performed at a formerly major festival in Mali that has been crippled by terrorist threats.

The Telegraph reports that the U2 frontman has appeared on stage during the opening night of the Mali Desert music festival, but the star power hasn’t been able to resurrect the fortunes of the festival, which was previously a major world music event with thousands of attendees, and this year only had around 300 paying tourists.

Organisers have put it down to al Qaeda’s Saharan wing, Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, and their recent predilection for taking Western hostages for ransom.

Incidents have interfered with the effectiveness of international aid groups in the area.

The festival reportedly has three thousand non-paying locals and nomadic Saharan Tuaregs attending alongside the small contingent of international visitors.