"It's unacceptable what the Islamists have done, " said Papa Maiga, who attended the march.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

"It's frightening because it feels like we are stuck, " sighs Mr Maiga down the line from Niafunke.

BBC: Blues for Mali as Ali Farka Toure's music is banned

"It's still dangerous, even if they're not targeting the population, " Habib Maiga, a teacher in Gao, said of the strikes.

CNN: SHARE THIS

"The Malian military and the French army spent their first night and the people are very happy, " Maiga said Tuesday.

NPR: US Begins Transporting French Troops To Mali

"I want the French to stay here for even twenty to fifty years, " said Abou Bakary Maiga, one of the crowd.

WSJ: French President Speaks of Exit from Mali

As Dr. Maiga and I approach the hospital gates, I ask on a whim if there's anywhere to go dancing in Gao.

WSJ: Anne Jolis: The Doctor and the Jihadists

French and Malian troops arrived in Douentza on Monday to find that the Islamists had retreated from it, said a resident, Sali Maiga.

NPR: US Begins Transporting French Troops To Mali

"It is a great comfort to the people and the Government of Mali to see such a strong international mobilization for its cultural heritage, " said Mr Bruno Maiga, Malian Minister of Culture.

UNESCO: Post-Conflict and Post-Disaster Responses

Dr. Maiga recounts his attempts to refuse.

WSJ: Anne Jolis: The Doctor and the Jihadists