Mali: life after occupation - in pictures

The Niger river from the propeller-powered UN plane flying to Gao in the troubled northern region of Mali, from Bamako, the capital, a distance of about 1,000km Photograph: The Guardian

Coming in to land at Mopti, for refuelling, a bustling gateway between the north and south, surrounded by the water of the Niger and Bani rivers. Mopti is known as the Venice of Mali
Photograph: Mark Tran/The Guardian

The plane to Gao passes over spectacular desert and mountain landscape
Photograph: Mark Tran/The Guardian

Gao still bears the scars of what its residents refer to as 'the occupation', when Tuareg separatists belonging to the MNLA and jihadists from the Mujao (The Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa) took over the desert town last year. They destroyed symbols of authority, such as the customs building
Photograph: Mark Tran/The Guardian

The MNLA is composed of Tuaregs seeking independence for northern Mali, or Azawad, a huge territory the size of France. Initially allied with Islamists from Ansar Dine and the Mujao, the MNLA lost out in a power struggle. The Mujao kicked the MNLA out of Gao and subjected the town to harsh sharia law during which amputations were carried out in the large public square
Photograph: Mark Tran/The Guardian

One of the banks destroyed in Gao. Banks have only just reopened. Gao's takeover by the rebels has been disastrous economically. There was no rice planting, animals were not taken out to pasture, and maintenance of dykes to prevent flooding from the Niger river stopped
Photograph: Mark Tran/The Guardian

Washington market in Gao. Halimatou, who has a stall selling plastic sandals and trainers, complains about the lack of customers and worries about getting enough food for her six children
Photograph: Mark Tran/The Guardian

Tailors at work in Washington market. Some are adjusting military uniforms for the African Union forces who are in Gao, along with French troops. French and Malian troops took back Gao, Timbuktu and Kidal in January
Photograph: Mark Tran/The Guardian

Street stall in Gao. The city of 86,000 relies heavily on spending by local civil servants so when they fled last year as rebels took over, the local economy ground to a halt
Photograph: Mark Tran/The Guardian

With Gao in severe economic distress, Oxfam and other NGOs have been trying to assist the neediest. For the past four months, Oxfam has been giving out monthly vouchers worth 40,000 CFA francs (£50) to 1,000 families, or about 5,000 people. Oxfam's funding for vouchers will come to an end shortly and will be taken over by the UK's Department for International Development
Photograph: Mark Tran/The Guardian

Trade between Algeria and northern Mali has been disrupted by last year's fighting and continuing tension, particularly in the Kidal region, which remains a rebel stronghold. But petrol from Algeria is getting through to Gao
Photograph: Mark Tran/The Guardian

Gao's main tourist attraction in better times. The tomb of Askia, a 17m pyramidal structure of mud and mud plaster, was built by Askia Mohamed, the emperor of Songhai, in 1495. It's a Unesco world heritage site. It was built when Gao became the capital of the empire and Islam was adopted as the official religion. Two mosques, one for men, one for women, are at the site
Photograph: Mark Tran/The Guardian

A popular restaurant in Gao, which serves up plates piled high with rice with a few lumps of meat
Photograph: Mark Tran/The Guardian

Gao's 'international' airport has been turned into a French military base guarded by thick blast walls. French and Malian troops were welcomed as liberators in January. The town's main market has been renamed Marche Serval, after the codename of the French military operation
Photograph: Mark Tran/The Guardian