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Djibouti, For a piece of Africa

65 images Created 8 Jan 2012

Dwarf-sized country with giant strategic importance, Djibouti lies at the heart of a troubled spot in the Horn of Africa. Of prime importance in the world of geopolitics, it is a country of armies, secret services, refugees, aid organizations and wheeler-dealers.
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  • Intro_IMG_6275_Fin.jpg
  • A dwarf-sized country with a giant’s strategic importance, Djibouti lies at the heart of a troubled hot spot in the Horn of Africa. .Of prime importance in the world of international geopolitics, it is a country of armies, secret service agencies, refugees, aid organizations and wheeler-dealers.   Aerial view on Djibouti. The French Air Force (Armée de l'Air) flying above Djibouti in a Puma helicopter, as part of a routine excercice. .These days, most international players wants (and pay big money for it...) an army presence in Djibouti: the perfect gateway to the rest of Africa...A dwarf-sized country with a giant’s strategic importance, Djibouti lies at the heart of a troubled hot spot in the Horn of Africa. It is surrounded by the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, and bordered by Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia..Of prime importance in the world of international geopolitics, it is a country of armies, secret service agencies, refugees, aid organizations and wheeler-dealers.
    Africa_Djibouti_10_01.jpg
  • Liberty Star and Liberty Spirit are lined up in the old port of Djibouti. The US freighters import 130,000 tonnes of wheat, under the auspices of the WFP; from here, supplies go out to Djibouti, Northern Somalia and, most importantly, Ethiopia.  At the Port, loading bags of Sorghum and Wheat to fight famine in Ethiopia. Brought on ships, these are donations of the USA via the World Food Program (WFP). The bags are loaded onto trucks bound to Ethiopia. 95% of the traffic going through the port goes to neighboring Ethiopia who does not have any coastline...The geostrategical and geopolitical importance of the Republic of Djibouti, located on the Horn of Africa, by the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, and bordered by Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia.
    Africa_Djibouti_10_02.jpg
  • US Navy Seal diver searches for explosives, fearing an attack on the only US base in Africa. On his upper body is tattooed the Psalm 23 of the Bible...The geostrategical and geopolitical importance of the Republic of Djibouti, located on the Horn of Africa, by the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, and bordered by Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia.
    Africa_Djibouti_10_03.jpg
  • A freighter transports cattle to Saudi Arabia. It has come from northern Somalia, for Djibouti has suffered a long drought and its animals are too undernourished. ..The geostrategical and geopolitical importance of the Republic of Djibouti, located on the Horn of Africa, by the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, and bordered by Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia.
    Africa_Djibouti_10_04.jpg
  • At the Dry Port, young malnourished daily workers loading cartons of Dates, sent by the UN’s World Food Programme, to fight famine in Ethiopia. Djibouti is one of the biggest transhipment points in the world for the UN...The geostrategical and geopolitical importance of the Republic of Djibouti, located on the Horn of Africa, by the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, and bordered by Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia.
    Africa_Djibouti_10_05.jpg
  • At the Dry Port, young malnourished daily workers loading cartons of Dates, sent by the UN’s World Food Programme, to fight famine in Ethiopia. Djibouti is one of the biggest transhipment points in the world for the UN...The geostrategical and geopolitical importance of the Republic of Djibouti, located on the Horn of Africa, by the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, and bordered by Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia.
    Africa_Djibouti_10_06.jpg
  • Almost 7 million tonnes are transhipped through the port annually. Every day, 500 Ethiopian trucks pass through, sometimes 200 for the WFP alone.  Loaded trucks bound to Ethiopia are stationed to clear custom at an area called PK12. 95% of the traffic going through the Djiboutian port goes to neighboring Ethiopia who does not have any coastline...The geostrategical and geopolitical importance of the Republic of Djibouti, located on the Horn of Africa, by the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, and bordered by Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia.
    Africa_Djibouti_10_07.jpg
  • It is so hot that the beach only comes alive at sunset The old port lies on the other side. Containers are now handled at the new terminal, one of the most expensive in the world. Djibouti’s government hopes to keep capitalizing on the country’s location—and dreams of becoming a second Dubai.   Plage du Héron, near the very fancy Kempinski Hotel and with a view over the Djibouti Port..It is so hot that the beach only comes alive at sunset The old port lies on the other side. Containers are now handled at the new terminal, one of the most expensive in the world. Djibouti’s government hopes to keep capitalising on the country’s location—and dreams of becoming a second Dubai...The geostrategical and geopolitical importance of the Republic of Djibouti, located on the Horn of Africa, by the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, and bordered by Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia.
    Africa_Djibouti_10_08.jpg
  • Stark contrast. An illegal Ethiopian immigrant gathers salt to sell at the market. In the distance, the new terminal juts out far into the ocean. It can accomodate 1.7 million containers, as well as large ships that unload their cargo onto smaller ships. It is the most modern port on the eastern coast of Africa, and one of the most expensive in the world.    Worker collecting salt. Right across from the very modern New Port of Djibouti, Oromo people (of Ethiopia), some of them illigal immigrants, are collecting salt. They dig holes, the sea water sips through and evaporates.  They then collect the salt. All work is done by hand. They live in extreme conditions, in houses made of collected garbage...The geostrategical and geopolitical importance of the Republic of Djibouti, located on the Horn of Africa, by the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, and bordered by Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia.
    Africa_Djibouti_10_09.jpg
  • The salt of the earth. An illegal Ethiopian immigrant gathers salt to sell at the market. Almost half the city lives in the slum - 200,000 people.   Right across from the very modern New Port of Djibouti, malnourished Oromo people (of Ethiopia), some of them illigal immigrants, are collecting salt. They dig holes, the sea water sips through and evaporates.  They then collect the salt. All work is done by hand. They live in extreme conditions, in houses made of collected garbage...The geostrategical and geopolitical importance of the Republic of Djibouti, located on the Horn of Africa, by the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, and bordered by Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia.
    Africa_Djibouti_10_10.jpg
  • Used for anti-piracy operation, the German naval reconnaissance plane P-3C Orion.  German Air Force working with Operation Atalanta (EU anti-piracy mission) and OEF (Operation Enduring Freedom) on sea reconnaissance mission using P3 plane with Infra Red cameras and other high tech equipment, to identify potential piracy activities off the coast of Somalia...The geostrategical and geopolitical importance of the Republic of Djibouti, located on the Horn of Africa, by the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, and bordered by Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia.
    Africa_Djibouti_10_11.jpg
  • On board the German naval reconnaissance plane, 15 men are bent over a map of the Internationally Recommended¬ Transit Corridor (IRTC), which runs across the Gulf of Aden, a dead-straight, 1,000km-long, two-lane passage heading east through some of the most dangerous waters in the world.  Planning the flight route over the Gulf of Aden, to look for pirates..German Air Force working with Operation Atalanta (EU anti-piracy mission) and OEF (Operation Enduring Freedom) on sea reconnaissance mission using P3 plane with Infra Red cameras and other high tech equipment, to identify potential piracy activities off the coast of Somalia...The geostrategical and geopolitical importance of the Republic of Djibouti, located on the Horn of Africa, by the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, and bordered by Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia.
    Africa_Djibouti_10_12.jpg
  • “We’ll fly down the corridor and turn around at the end,” says the tactical coordinator, nicknamed ‘Tacco.’ These men are on a mission as part of the EU’s Operation Atalanta. They have 8 hours to locate the wooden cutters and speedboats of Somali pirates.  German Air Force working with Operation Atalanta (EU anti-piracy mission) and OEF (Operation Enduring Freedom) on sea reconnaissance mission using P3 plane with Infra Red cameras and other high tech equipment, to identify potential piracy activities off the coast of Somalia...The geostrategical and geopolitical importance of the Republic of Djibouti, located on the Horn of Africa, by the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, and bordered by Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia.
    Africa_Djibouti_10_13.jpg
  • Probably unaware of the piracy, tourists on their sailing boat, off the coast of Somalia, most likely on their way to the Seychelles...German Air Force working with Operation Atalanta (EU anti-piracy mission) and OEF (Operation Enduring Freedom) on sea reconnaissance mission using P3 plane with Infra Red cameras and other high tech equipment, to identify potential piracy activities off the coast of Somalia...The geostrategical and geopolitical importance of the Republic of Djibouti, located on the Horn of Africa, by the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, and bordered by Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia.
    Africa_Djibouti_10_14.jpg
  • Tired after looking out for 8 hours for Somali pirates. The trigger for piracy was provided by marauders: European and Asian fish-trawlers whose crews used the power-vacuum in Somalia to poach in the unprotected high seas; Italian mafia who dumped illegal toxic waste here for years. Somali fishermen reacted by attacking the trawlers, cargo vessels and ships carrying relief supplies—and discovered a bountiful source of income.   After a whole day looking for "pirates" off the coast of Somalia. German Air Force working with Operation Atalanta (EU anti-piracy mission) and OEF (Operation Enduring Freedom) on sea reconnaissance mission using P3 plane with Infra Red cameras and other high tech equipment, to identify potential piracy activities off the coast of Somalia...The geostrategical and geopolitical importance of the Republic of Djibouti, located on the Horn of Africa, by the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, and bordered by Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia.
    Africa_Djibouti_10_15.jpg
  • Setting up the first German embassy in Djibouti. Germany's army presence is there to "protect its foreign trade interests" as well as part of its EU's Operation Atalanta.  Future German ambassador Jorg Kinnen (blue shirt) and retired ambassador Manfred Dohmeyer working on setting up the first German embassy in Djibouti, at their temporary office: a room at the Sheraton hotel...The geostrategical and geopolitical importance of the Republic of Djibouti, located on the Horn of Africa, by the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, and bordered by Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia.
    Africa_Djibouti_10_16.jpg
  • Refugees from northern Somalia fleeing starvation wait at the border of Djibouti for permission to enter—in vain. .Only war refugees from central and southern Somalia are accepted...In Loyada, the only official border crossing from Djibouti into Somalia, war refugees from Somalia hope to be accepted by the UNHCR and Onars (Djibouti Refugee Agency), so they can be settled in a refugee camp. Only Somalians coming from South Somalia (in and around Mogadishu, where the fighting takes place) are accepted. They are interrogated, so that the UNHCR/Onars authorities can find out if they really come from South Somalia. People coming from famine-striken North Somalia (Somaliland and Puntland) try to get accepted, often resulting in rejection...The geostrategical and geopolitical importance of the Republic of Djibouti, located on the Horn of Africa, by the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, and bordered by Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia.
    Africa_Djibouti_10_17.jpg
  • Djiboutian Police inspecting bodies of Somalian Refugee asylum. They look for scars, in case military people from extremist organisations such as Al Chabab try to enter Djibouti. ..In Loyada, the only official border crossing from Djibouti into Somalia, war refugees from Somalia hope to be accepted by the UNHCR and Onars (Djibouti Refugee Agency), so they can be settled in a refugee camp. Only Somalians coming from South Somalia (in and around Mogadishu, where the fighting takes place) are accepted. They are interrogated, so that the UNHCR/Onars authorities can find out if they really come from South Somalia. People coming from famine-striken North Somalia (Somaliland and Puntland) try to get accepted, often resulting in rejection...The geostrategical and geopolitical importance of the Republic of Djibouti, located on the Horn of Africa, by the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, and bordered by Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia.
    Africa_Djibouti_10_18.jpg
  • A Somalian refugee, Maka from Mogadiscio, lost his parents and whole family from bombing. He shows a shrapnel scar on his head...In Loyada, the only official border crossing from Djibouti into Somalia, war refugees from Somalia hope to be accepted by the UNHCR and Onars (Djibouti Refugee Agency), so they can be settled in a refugee camp. Only Somalians coming from South Somalia (in and around Mogadishu, where the fighting takes place) are accepted. They are interrogated, so that the UNHCR/Onars authorities can find out if they really come from South Somalia. People coming from famine-striken North Somalia (Somaliland and Puntland) try to get accepted, often resulting in rejection...The geostrategical and geopolitical importance of the Republic of Djibouti, located on the Horn of Africa, by the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, and bordered by Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia.
    Africa_Djibouti_10_19.jpg
  • Hope again! An accepted Somalian refugee happy to be in Djibouti...In Loyada, the only official border crossing from Djibouti into Somalia, war refugees from Somalia hope to be accepted by the UNHCR and Onars (Djibouti Refugee Agency), so they can be settled in a refugee camp. Only Somalians coming from South Somalia (in and around Mogadishu, where the fighting takes place) are accepted. They are interrogated, so that the UNHCR/Onars authorities can find out if they really come from South Somalia. People coming from famine-striken North Somalia (Somaliland and Puntland) try to get accepted, often resulting in rejection...The geostrategical and geopolitical importance of the Republic of Djibouti, located on the Horn of Africa, by the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, and bordered by Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia.
    Africa_Djibouti_10_20.jpg
  • Illegal refugees sleeping on the beach. About 100 non-registered refugees arrive from Somalia every day. They are trying either to find work in Djibouti or to cross the Red Sea to Yemen, on way to their dream destination: Dubai. ..The geostrategical and geopolitical importance of the Republic of Djibouti, located on the Horn of Africa, by the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, and bordered by Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia.
    Africa_Djibouti_10_21.jpg
  • On the top floor of a boarding house for prostitutes, mostly Ethiopians, the "queen bee" is waiting for coffee.  The bedroom of the "Queen bee". All girls are from Ethiopia...One of the communal home of escort girls and prostitutes, in Djibouti. Most of them find their clients in bars and discos. Most of their clients are military people and workers from various nationalities. Prostitute are most of the time high on Khat, a stimulant drug...The geostrategical and geopolitical importance of the Republic of Djibouti, located on the Horn of Africa, by the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, and bordered by Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia.
    Africa_Djibouti_10_22.jpg
  • On Friday (the equivalent of Sunday in Muslim Djibouti), Lula and Nadja, 2 ethiopian prostitutes, recover from last night out. Khat keeps the young women awake at night: the drug has a stimulant effect..  Recovering from the night, Most girl eat Khat to stay up all night...One of the communal home of escort girls and prostitutes, in Djibouti. Most of them find their clients in bars and discos. Most of their clients are military people and workers from various nationalities...The geostrategical and geopolitical importance of the Republic of Djibouti, located on the Horn of Africa, by the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, and bordered by Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia.
    Africa_Djibouti_10_23.jpg
  • Muna is combing Tina’s hair; the two Ethiopians prostitutes will soon be heading to a club. “The best is to find an American soldier,” says Tina. “The French are the most generous clients; they pay for our apartments so that we don’t have to work. But sooner or later, they all go back to their wives.” ..One of the communal home of escort girls and prostitutes, in Djibouti. Most of them find their clients in bars and discos. Most of their clients are military people and workers from various nationalities. Prostitute are most of the time high on Khat, a stimulant drug...The geostrategical and geopolitical importance of the Republic of Djibouti, located on the Horn of Africa, by the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, and bordered by Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia.
    Africa_Djibouti_10_24.jpg
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