A Saharawi girl at home in Rabouni refugee camp

As soon as the Moroccan occupation of the Western Sahara started and the vicious and bloody war diffused, nearly 200,000 Saharawis made their way across the desert, under aerial bombardment, to refugee camps in Algeria. Five camps were created under the control of the Polisario Front - the Sahawaris’ national liberation movement, which had appeared two years earlier to overthrow Spanish colonial rule. Algeria effectively ceded control of the region to Polisario, allowing it to be run as a semi-autonomous province near the military town of Tindouf.

Rabouni refugee camp

34 years passed, and they are still living in these refugee camps with no real perspectives to return to their homeland any time soon due to the passivity of the international community. Built on parched sandy land, the settlements have mushroomed into virtual cities with a population of some 200,000. They lack running water and draw electricity from solar-powered batteries, but are models of organization, divided into districts with town halls.

Depending uniquely on International aid (rarely enough to guarantee the basic human condition) the isolation and lack of property created a strong sense of union and community where all are seen as part of a big family - the Saharawi family. It create a democratic state where there are no salaries, each refugee has a vote and women are equal to men. A state born out of hope in no man’s land.

A truck passes in direction to Rabouni to deliver water to the refugees

Despite the lack of everything, the refugees seam to share all they have amongst others, including with the occasional foreign visitors who find in the hospitable family homes the only place to stay during their visit.

Stories of war, exile and fear can be heard from most of the refugees one comes across in the camps, however the feeling of hope and prosperity seams to be unanimous amongst all. The certainty of one day going back to their homeland and to traditional nomadic life is what most characterise the Saharawi people. The people long time forgotten by the world.

Members of a family in the land mine and war victims centre near Rabouni

A guerrilla veteran at the land mine and war victims hospital in Rabouni

A Saharawi refugee in near Smara refugee camp

A family gathering outside their house in Rabouni

A nomadic family preparing the traditional mint tea

People passing by a restaurante in Rabouni

A shop owner near Rabouni refugee camp

A group of children watching through a window a local band rehearsing in 27th February refugee camp

A Saharawi refugee in Dajla during the FISAHARA film festival

Two girls covered with the traditional Saharawi milfa in Dajla

Saharawi refugees in Dajla

Saharawi men racing camels during the FISAHARA festival in Dajla

A group of guerrilla veterans during a parade in Dajla

General view of Smara, the biggest refugee camp in Tindouf province