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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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  • The air lies is thick and heavy. There is incense burning in a small bowl, grass on the tiled floor, Tina is doing her daily Ethiopian coffee ceremony.Almost all  the 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_25.jpg
  • Sablia gets ready for the night. The Sheraton and the Kempinski— both in Arab hands and prime destination for prostitutes —run casinos, and the port town has no less than a few thousand prostitutes. “Bad work, good money,” says Sablia...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_26.jpg
  • Sablia, an ethiopian prostitute, says she is truly in love with Haluk, a turkish man based in Djibouti. Most of the clients are military and navy personnel, as well as foreign workers from the harbour....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_27.jpg
  • At the New Delhi club, the jukebox is playing “Sing Hallelujah”. French Foreign Legion men are on leave... French Foreign Legionmaires (the 13th Foreign Legion Demi-Brigade) partying on the week end at the New Delhi Club, in Djibouti town. Up to 5 years in service, they are not allowed to wear civilian clothes. ..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_28.jpg
  • A soldier inside his Container Living Units (CLU - this area is known as Cluville) where he lives..Life at Camp Lemonnier, a United States Naval Expeditionary Base, a garrison part of the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa...Camp Lemonnier is on B Alert (same level of security as Afghanistan or Iraq)...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_29.jpg
  • A US soldier doing a routine dance for his upcoming performance. Celebration of the 235th anniversary of the US Army. Life at Camp Lemonnier, a United States Naval Expeditionary Base, a garrison part of the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa...Camp Lemonnier is on B Alert (same level of security as Afghanistan or Iraq)...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_30.jpg
  • Aiming to prevent the Horn of Africa from becoming another refuge for Islamic terrorists post-9/11, the Americans have made Djibouti the headquarters of their multinational anti-terror campaign, Operation Enduring Freedom. They are on "B" security alert, same level than for places like Afghanistan and Iraq. This is ‘CLU-Ville’ or ‘Container City’, what the Americans call their living quarters at the US base, Camp Lemonnier.   Lines of Container Living Units (CLU - this area is known as Cluville) where military personnel lives. .‘CLU-Ville’ or ‘Container City’ is what the Americans call their living quarters at the US base, Camp Lemonnier, a self-contained world with tight security and its own cinema and supermarket...Life at Camp Lemonnier, a United States Naval Expeditionary Base, a garrison part of the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa...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_31.jpg
  • Military people from the Civil Affairs department of the US Army doing a trip to Sagallou (near Tadjoura), as part of a medical camp mission. Part of the "3D approach" of the US Army : Development (in that case), Democracy, Defense...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_32.jpg
  • Selecting potential patients for an eye clinic free examination...Military people from the Civil Affairs department of the US Army doing a trip to Sagallou (near Tadjoura), as part of a medical camp mission. Part of the "3D approach" of the US Army : Development (in that case), Democracy, Defense...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_33.jpg
  • Public Relations operation around the medical camp - interviewing soldiers...Military people from the Civil Affairs department of the US Army doing a trip to Sagallou (near Tadjoura), as part of a medical camp mission. Part of the "3D approach" of the US Army : Development (in that case), Democracy, Defense...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_34.jpg
  • Djiboutian police eying US Army personel...Military people from the Civil Affairs department of the US Army doing a trip to Sagallou (near Tadjoura), as part of a medical camp mission. Part of the "3D approach" of the US Army : Development (in that case), Democracy, Defense...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_35.jpg
  • Eye clinic...Military people from the Civil Affairs department of the US Army doing a trip to Sagallou (near Tadjoura), as part of a medical camp mission. Part of the "3D approach" of the US Army : Development (in that case), Democracy, Defense...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_36.jpg
  • Landing. The Foreign Legion, a unit of the French army, sets off on an anti-guerrilla exercise. .Djibouti offers the ideal terrain—it is hot and mountainous, just like Afghanistan...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_37.jpg
  • Sakatz (on top of the jeep), a Roumanian man enrolled in the French Foreign legion, going to take part in the building of a Forward Operating Base, an excercice on guerilla war, in an environment very similar to the one encountered, for example, in Afghanistan..  French soldiers in a camouflaged jeep. The Foreign Legion, a unit of the French army, sets off on an anti-guerrilla exercise. .Djibouti offers the ideal terrain—it is hot and mountainous, just like Afghanistan...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_38.jpg
  • French soldiers defend Djibouti when neighbours like Eritrea invade the country. Captain of a P4 unit...The Foreign Legion, a unit of the French army, sets off on an anti-guerrilla exercise. .Djibouti offers the ideal terrain—it is hot and mountainous, just like Afghanistan...French soldiers defend Djibouti when neighbours like Eritrea invade the country. A ..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_39.jpg
  • Djibouti offers the ideal terrain to train a foreign Army - it is hot and mountainous, just like Afghanistan.. During an ambush excercice. ..The Foreign Legion, a unit of the French army, sets off on an anti-guerrilla exercise. .Djibouti offers the ideal terrain—it is hot and mountainous, just like Afghanistan...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_40.jpg
  • North of Djibouti town, in the desert, the French Foreign Legion (the 13th Foreign Legion Demi-Brigade) is building a Forward Operating Base, as part of an excercice on guerilla war, in an environment very similar to the one encountered, for example, in Afghanistan...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_41.jpg
  • A legionnaire sleeping on his Famas (machine gun) and in combat outfit, with his bags ready, so that he can be ready in 15mn (that includes shaving time!). He must be ready to combat in the desert for at least 24 hrs...North of Djibouti town, in the desert, the French Foreign Legion (the 13th Foreign Legion Demi-Brigade) spent a week in a Forward Operating Base that they built, as part of an excercice on guerilla war, in an environment very similar to the one encountered, for example, in Afghanistan...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_42.jpg
  • Empty artillery shells after a night test firing tanks. French Foreign legion. To organize such war simulation excercises in France would be impossible...North of Djibouti town, in the desert, the French Foreign Legion (the 13th Foreign Legion Demi-Brigade) is practicing shooting with FAMAS rifle in a firing range, as part of an excercice on guerilla war, in an environment very similar to the one encountered, for example, in Afghanistan...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_43.jpg
  • Frigate Captain Nils Brandt returns to Djibouti harbour after an operation carried out by the German navy...German Navy Force working with Operation Atalanta (EU anti-piracy mission) and OEF (Operation Enduring Freedom) on sea reconnaissance mission using a battleship called "Schleswig-Holstein", 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_44.jpg
  • Frigate Captain Nils Brandt returns to Djibouti harbour, passing French and US Army boats, after an operation carried out by the German navy...German Navy Force working with Operation Atalanta (EU anti-piracy mission) and OEF (Operation Enduring Freedom) on sea reconnaissance mission using a battleship called "Schleswig-Holstein", 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_45.jpg
  • German Air Force working with Operation Atalanta (EU anti-piracy mission) having a drink with Japanese Navy, to celebrate their return from mission. ..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_46.jpg
  • The marketplace of the capital lies between the European and African quarters. But the Chinese, as Djibouti’s most important investors, are wielding more and more influence.. Crowd and buses on the Place Mahamoud Harbi (former Place Arthur Rimbaud), the heart of Djibouti where the main market is based and buses come and go out of Djibouti..The marketplace of the capital lies between the European and African quarters. But the Chinese, as Djibouti’s most important investors, are wielding more and more influence...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_47.jpg
  • Colorful women shopping. The side streets near the Mahamoud Harbi (former Place Arthur Rimbaud), the heart of Djibouti where the main market is based and buses come and go out of Djibouti mainly towards Ethiopia...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_48.jpg
  • Narrow street. The side streets near the Mahamoud Harbi (former Place Arthur Rimbaud), the heart of Djibouti where the main market is based and buses come and go out of Djibouti mainly towards Ethiopia...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_49.jpg
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