Back to the Cold

A song, for once and before  taking off:[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUxE5LnhcjQ] 24 January 2011: Fribourg's streets at night, Switzerland. [Click on the picture to enlarge it].

2nd day of the Referendum

10 January 2011: A South Sudanese vote, assisted by a local staff, at the 2nd day of the referendum over South Sudan's independence, at El Fasher polling center, North Darfur. [Click on the picture to enlarge it].10 January 2011: A polling staff member control registration cards during the 2nd day of the referendum on South Sudan's independence, at El-Fasher polling center, North Darfur. [Click on the picture to enlarge it].10 January 2011: A staff member of the El Fasher polling center close a ballot at the end of the 2nd day of the referendum on South Sudan's independence. [Click on the picture to enlarge it].

Referendum

Historical moment in Sudan with the referendum on Southern Sudan's independence and the opening this morning at 8am (GMT+3) of the polling centers. Almost 4 millions South Sudaneses (including 23'000  in Darfur) are going to vote. In El Fasher, thousands of South Sudaneses have already left in the last months and went back to their homes but 548 South Sudan are registered to vote.09 January 2011: First voters at El Fasher polling center, North Darfur. Registred South Sudaneses have one week to voter for the referendum over South Sudan's independence. [Click on the picture to enlarge it].

Preparation for the Referendum in South Sudan

J-3 before the referendum on independence for  South Sudan. The African Union/United Nations Hybrid operation in Darfur (UNAMID) provides logistic support and particularly air support to carry polling material to the different voting centers.06 January 2011: UNAMID staff loading votation material, for the upcoming referendum on South Sudan's independence, in an UNAMID Mi-8 helicopter in El Fasher, North Darfur, Sudan. [Click on the picture to enlarge it].06 January 2011: Members of the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission (SSRC) carry polling material brought by UNAMID in El-Lait village, North Darfur, Sudan. [Click on the picture to enlarge it].06 January 2011: Nepalese Special Operation soldiers, peacekeepers with UNAMID, provide security to UNAMID staff in the field, in El-Lait, North Darfur, during a distribution of polling material for the upcoming referendum on South Sudan's independence. [Click on the picture to enlarge it].

Young Christian in Darfur

It is always nice to be published, but a bit frustrating when you have the feeling that your pictures are boring but that you were the only one having access to the story. So let's hope I can do better in the coming days and weeks. There are a lot of interesting stories coming, starting with the preparation for the upcoming referendum. Take care!2 January 2011: Young boy at El Fasher church, North Darfur, Sudan. [Click on the picture to enlarge it].

Bonne année

2010 was a very interesting, challenging and surprising year. Let's hope 2011 will be even better.I wish you all the best for 2011 and hope to have the chance to see you more frequently.30 December 2010: A woman who has been displaced by recent clashes between Sudan's army and rebels sits with children next to the UNAMID (United Nations/African Union Mission in Darfur) Shangil Tobaya team site in North Darfur, Sudan. Thousands of Darfurian have fled their homes and sought protection at the nearby UNAMID team site. [Click on the picture to enlarge it].And, good new, this picture, as well as 4 others, has been published by Reuters.

Experimentation

Please click on my pictures and look at them in a bigger (exported) resolution. Thumbnails generated by wordpress really suck. If you have any idea on how to improve it, let me know. Cheers24 December 2010: Anonymous South Sudanese at El Fasher church, North Darfur, Sudan. [Click on the picture to enlarge it].

Christmas in Darfur with South Sudaneses

25 December 2010: A large number of South Sudanese Christians attend the Christmas mass at El Fasher church, North Darfur (Sudan). They fear that their life might be affected by the upcoming referendum for the independence of South Sudan and realize that it might be their last Christmas together in Darfur. In fact, a great deal already left Darfur and went back to South Sudan. Many might follow after 11 January, closing date of the referendum. [Click on the picture to enlarge it].

Close your Eyes

I am facing a serious lack of inspiration and creativity. The contrast with my excitation while taking pictures in Vietnam is a bit too important.19 December 2010: Christian South Sudanese at El Fasher church, North Darfur, Sudan.[Click on the picture to enlarge it].

Street children

09 December 2010: Children during a Mathematics course in the new Homeless Shelter for street children, in El Fasher, North Darfur, Sudan. This center, funded by The Ministry of Social Affairs and UNICEF, opened last month and currently provides assistance to 26 children. [Click on the picture to enlarge it].

A Long Day under the Sun

Yesterday, ambassadors and representatives of the UN Security Council countries visited UNAMID. Heavy security, close protection, kevlar vests, armored cars and a lot of sun and sand. Waiting for the VIPs to arrive, I suddenly realized all that just became part of a routine. It's still fun, challenging and exciting but it's just normal. Just another long day under the sun in Darfur.07 December 2010: UNAMID soldiers from Rwanda provide security to a convoy during the visit of ambassadors and representatives of the UN Security Council countries to Shangil Tobaya, North Darfur, Sudan. [Click on the picture to enlarge it].

World AIDS Day

01 December 2010: UNAMID staff light candles for AIDS' victims during World AIDS day celebrations in El-Fasher, North Darfur, Sudan. [Click on the picture to enlarge it].

Last hours in South-East Asia

 20 November 2010: Street vendors in HCMC (former Saigon) in South Vietnam. [Click on the picture to enlarge it].

Love Is in the Air

20 November 2010: The Vietnamese society gives an impression of perfect gender balance in the streets. Young Vietnamese couples frequently gather in parks or simply on the side of the road next to their scooter. Kissing, hugging, flirting or simply talking, there is love in the air. [Click on the picture to enlarge it].

Night Shower

.. 18 November 2010: Heavy rain in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), South Vietnam. [Click on the picture to enlarge it].

Ha Long Bay

15 November 2010: Ha Long Bay in North Vietnam. About 500 boats cruise in the bay, leading to an high concentration of boats around the most touristic areas (e.g. amazing cave). [Click on the picture to enlarge it].14 November 2010: Vietnamese vendors waiting for tourists to leave their embarkation. Tour operators tend to overprice the drinks on board their boats and local vendors use that opportunity to sell cheaper products to tourists while they embark/disembark. [Click on the picture to enlarge it].15 November 2010: Ha Long Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and welcomes millions of tourists every year. Finding a quiet spot is not always an easy task but the view is breathtaking. [Click on the picture to enlarge it].

Trekking

12 November 2010: A Vietnamese woman prepares incense sticks near Sapa village, North Vietnam. [Click on the picture to enlarge it].

Cam on ba

10 November 2010: Street vendors in Hanoi, North Vietnam [Click on the picture to enlarge it].

Vietnam mon amour

I'm having some rest days in South-East Asia. After 2 days in Bangkok, I'm now in Hanoi, North Vietnam. The main mean of transportation within the city are certainly motorbikes and crossing the street is a sport.At night, youths gather in the streets to eat and drink, seating on small plastic stools. I hope to have the opportunity to spend more time with them in the coming days.I really love low light photography. Before my arrival in Sudan, I use to spend a lot of time shooting in Melbourne streets at night. Unfortunately, with the security situation and restrictions in Darfur, I almost totally stopped taking pictures after sunset.07 November 2010: Old quarter of Hanoi, Vietnam [Click on the picture to enlarge it].

UN Day

24 October 2010: UNAMID Rwandese soldiers performing a traditional dance during UN Day celebrations in El-Fasher, North Darfur [Click on the picture to enlarge it].

And although I don't think my work can be compared with his, just a friendly thought for Joao Silva