In a Geek World

Tonight, I'm buying music on iTune using my iPod touch connected to an anonymous network (TOR, a second-generation onion routing) through a protected wifi connection shared by my Macbook Pro and its 3G modem. Yeah... I am a bit geek sometime.05 July 2011: Darfurian workers preparing cole bags in Zamzam internally displaced person (IDP) camp, North Darfur. [Click on the picture to enlarge it].Speaking about geek, I strongly recommend Dropbox and Chrome. If you have or work on more than one computer, Dropox will allow you to share your files automatically . And as they are kept both online and locally, you won't have problems working if you don't have an internet access. Regarding Chrome, it provides the same functionalities than any browser like Safari, Firefox or IE but allow you to automatically synchronized your bookmark, saved passwords and other auto-fill. Again, if you work with more than one computer... it's really neat.

Invasion or The Return of "Le Perv"

Today, the first miniscule blue helmet invaded Sudan. We still do know how many they are and their intentions but it should be fun :-)

03 July 2011: A miniscule blue helmet protects the United Nations - African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) camp in El Fasher, North Darfur.

Meanwhile, it is funny to observe that, although the case is not even closed, half of the French population thinks that Dominique Strauss-Kahn (DSK) should resume his political career. Or that many French politicians consider he will play an important role in the battle of the presidential elections of 2012.

I respect the influent economist he is, but I am not sure I would like to have him representing my country. A socialist paying five million dollars guarantee deposit, 50,000 dollars a month for his house, crucified in the international press and with a strong reputation of womanizer (in addition to an accusation of rape)? Not exactly what I would call a positive image for the country.

In the U.S., a few pictures in underwear cost former congressman Anthony Weiner his seat. In France, even an alleged rape and heavy past do not seem to be not enough to stop a politician's career ...

Call home

Although I would prefer to be in the field, working more in contact with Darfuris, I am a bit stuck in Khartoum, covering a conference. But sometimes, while looking for something different to photograph, nice surprises appear...29 June 2011: Speaker during the Darfur International Conference on Water, in Khartoum, Sudan. [Click on the picture to enlarge it].

Music in my eyes

Few days ago, in a jazz club in Zurich, I suddenly realized I would love to take picture of a band. I realized how much I miss music and photographing something different than life in Darfur and activities of the Mission. It seems I was heard as I had to cover today a dinner where a live band was playing some great music. 27 June 2011: Concert of Omar Ihsas, famous Sudanese singer, in Khartoum, at the first day of the Darfur International Conference on Water. Seeking $1.5 billion for a six-year series of projects, the Darfur International Conference on Water for Sustainable Peace aims to contribute to peace and reconciliation through the restoration and equitable use of Darfur’s natural resources. [Click on the picture to enlarge it].

Last but very not least ... Simon Green, bass

Few years ago, taking an airplane was, in my mind, associated with the notion of travel and packing was a part of the process, one of the last step before discovering a new place. Something exciting.Today, packing became part of a boring ritual. The content of my bag is always the same and, on the way back, packing only consists in trying to squeeze food and books between my clothes. No excitement, just an automatic process, my mind floating somewhere else.If I'm with some friends, it's ok. But usually, I'm alone, left with space to think. Some time to kill, alone, downloading a last album, watching a movie, eating or drinking for the last time  what I won't be able to touch for weeks or months (and although I am already full). Hours in an hotel room, an airport terminal, train, waiting...Thinking about me having spent a few days in Switzerland is always like thinking about an half empty glass. Or is it an half full one?17 June 2011: A., Zurich, Switzerland. The next two pictures were way better. But my iPhone crashed while processing them and deleted them... grrr!If walking in an airport was a soundtrack, it would be Bonobo, Live at Koko (example). May God bless Bose and its QC 15

Down in the air

Not dead yet. But the last weeks haven't been very exciting in term of photographs. Time is flying and I am now for a few days in Switzerland, trying to reload my batteries and to clarify my future. Surrounded by new books (including the excellent "Infidel" by the late Tim Hetherington), I really feel like trying something different, another kind of pictures, less clean, less neat. More personal.Maybe I should grab my back and leave for South America...2 June 2011: Frankfurt airport, Germany.P.S: I still don't understand why Apple didn't put a better camera in their last iPod touch.

UNAMID National Staff - First pictures in a studio

The African Union - United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) is currently the largest peacekeeping mission in the world with more than 25’000 staff, civilian, military and police. Among them, almost 3’000 Sudanese, mostly Darfurian. Directly affected by the conflict, they contribute to the Mission’s mandate and try to bring peace and to provide assistance and protection to their compatriots. Unfortunately, they usually occupy lower positions and are frequently not treated with the same respect than international staff.This project is about showing their background, motivation, contribution and their dreams. This project is an tribute to those men and women who try to bring a brighter future to their family and their country.National staff for UNAMIDIt took me some time and energy to realize this project. It was the first time I was shooting in a studio and it obviously was quite challenging. But the remaining feeling is really positive and I got a lot of fun doing it. Please feel free to contact me if you have any remarks or suggestions.I now have to think about a big fat project for my master thesis. Yeaah... time's running.

Hippo rollers

26 April 2011: UNAMID distributes hippo rollers to different households in Kuma Garadayat village, North Darfur. Hippo rollers are large drums that can contain 75 liters of water. Easy to carry, they are an excellent alternative to jerrycans and can be used by women and children. UNAMiD is going to distribute 3000 of these carriers in 8 different villages, in order to improve access to water. Difficult access to water is one of the cause of the Darfurian conflict.[Click on the picture to enlarge it].

Merry Easter

I wish you and all your family a merry Easter and hope to see you very soon, wherever you are in the world.24 April 2011: Following the referendum on South Sudan independence, many South Sudanese left Darfur and returned to their hometown. Consequently, El Fasher's Christian community, mostly composed of South Sudanese, lost many of its members. Those who remain gathered today to celebrate Easter in El Fasher's church. [Click on the picture to enlarge it].

Go on

Yesterday, Chris Hondros and Tim Hetherington died in Libya, doing their job, taking pictures. I never got the chance to meet them but admire their work. Might their souls rest in peace.Meanwhile, I try to give birth to my new project ...21 April 2011: To be continued ... [Click on the picture to enlarge it].

Snapshots from Rwanda

A few days in Rwanda, Kigali and next toLake Kivu. Just time to relax, think, drink and speak with a friend and enjoy the fabulous landscape, trying to forget that exactly 17 years ago, a genocide was destroying the entire country.

Me mad

Today, someone stole a part of my equipment and it might have some very very serious financial consequence on my already limited income and inexistent savings. Right now, I would like to find the button to switch-off my brain or to buy a ticket to South America to spend days, if not months, trekking and learning Spanish. Fuc# my life.But I supposed that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger (or poorer)...

Me happy

Reuters published my pictures on the new IDPs in Zamzam, North Darfur. Today is not a bad day!15 March 2011: Tens of thousand of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) fled their village, following clashes between the Government of Sudan and rebel movements, and sought protection at Zamzam IDP camp, North Darfur. [Click on the picture to enlarge it].

Light

I have been working on a new project. I have never done that before, it's quite challenging (especially when you are a bit control freak) but it is also definitely very exciting. More soon...21 March 2011: To be continued ...

Life is fun

18 March 2011: Romanian close protection forces ensure the security of UNAMID staff during the first visit to Jawa, East Jebel Marra (South Darfur), of UNAMID Joint Special Representative, Professor Gambari. Access to the region was restricted for months, due to clashes between the Government of Sudan and rebel groups. [Click on the picture to enlarge it].

Internally Displaced Persons in Darfur

15 March 2011: Tens of thousand of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) fled their village, following clashes between the Government of Sudan and rebel movements, and sought protection at Zamzam IDP camp, North Darfur. [Click on the picture to enlarge it].

Women's Day

08 March 2011: March organized by UNAMID, through El Fasher city, North Darfur, to celebrate the International Women's Day. Darfurian women, boyscouts and UNAMID staff were present. [Click on the picture to enlarge it].

Horse Racing in Darfur

04 March 2011: Nyala, South Sudan, hosts every Friday a horse racing competition. Before the beginning of the race,  jockeys have to present their horse to the medical visit. [Click on the picture to enlarge it].

Bonus

I just added (finally!!) a new story on my website

Vaccination campaign

1 March 2011: A three-day polio vaccination campaign kicked off throughout Darfur on 28 February 2011 as part of the Sudanese Government's efforts to eradicate the disease. The campaign was organized by the Sudanese Ministry of Health in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Thousands of teams were spread across Darfur states, including in the Jebel Marra area, to administer the polio vaccine to all children under five years old. On the picture, a vaccination team in action in Al Salam IDP camp, North Darfur, Sudan. [Click on the picture to enlarge it].