Alfredo Bini has always taken photographs, and has found his own personal form of expression in reportage photography. He concentrates on stories of social relevance and hopes that his images contribute to the enhancement of public awareness of unbalanced situations. The reportage “Water and Land in Sahel the case of Burkina Faso”, won the title of "Runner-Up" in the "Travel Photo Of The Year", run in the UK by The Independent and Wanderlust and gained 2nd place in the IPA Awards (NYC) for the Political category as well as 2 mentions of honour for the Environmental and Feature Story categories. In the "Biennial Juried Photography Show" at the Edward Hopper House Museum of NY it won the Silver Award of Excellence. The Transmigrations reportage has been published as cover story by the Corriere della Sera Magazine and Alias (Il Manifesto), and has also been published by the BBC, The New York Times, El Pais, Avvenire and Repubblica. It has featured in the academic journal "African and Black Diaspora, compiled by the De Paul University (Chicago) and published by Routledge - Taylor & Francis. As a freelancer, he exhibits in Europe and the USA, and some of his reportages are used as debating material for presentations and conferences in venues such as the Ateneo Veneto in Venezia, the Società Umanitaria of Milan, the University of Udine, the University of Modena.
Introduction
Since the beginning of 2009, about 8,000 migrants have crossed the Tenere Desert each month in a bid to reach Europe, and in particular Italy. This is the biggest migrant flow of the last six years. They travel from the southern states to Niger by whatever means they happen to find. Some stay in the cities to try and earn some money. Only then do they cross the desert to the oasis of Dirkou, the departure point for Lybia. A good number of them will succeed in setting off, but those without money will be stranded in Dirkou. They refer to themselves as “stranded”, to identify themselves amongst those who do not manage to set off on the next leg of the journey. Amongst their number are those who simply do not have enough money, have been robbed or have miscalculated the racket money due at the control posts.
Their only hope of being able to resume the journey is to work, unpaid, for a master until he pays them. Many adapt to doing any kind of work, but for some, the thought of being exploited, feeling inferior and abandoned, can prevent a reaction, condemning them to a long period of slavery. The women are forced to accept even more unpleasant compromises, working and providing sexual satisfaction for a master, or working in one of the three local brothels for 1,500 CFA per appointment. They have no alternatives! There were about 7,000 people in Dirkou in early April 2009. Official statistics set the mortality rate caused by the harsh traveling conditions at about 12%. One imagines that it is actually much higher. At the same time in pre-electoral Europe, politicians were discussing the legitimacy of sending boats back out to sea, and the Italian parliament was preparing for the definitive approval of the Safety decree, a legislative text which institutes the new crime of clandestinity.
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/ MARADI - NIGER
On the road from Nigeria. Passengers on an onion truck.
Photograph by Alfredo Bini / © Alfredo Bini. All Rights Reserved.
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/ NIAMEY - NIGER
The banks of the River Niger. On Sundays many city dwellers escape from the city heat to the river banks. J.P. is a Burkinabe who interrupted his journey to Europe in Niamey. Now he earns his living by washing cars on the river bank. For lots of “aventuriers” it is inconceivable to return home empty-handed, so they will accept any type of work just to earn a little money.
Photograph by Alfredo Bini / © Alfredo Bini. All Rights Reserved.
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/ NIAMEY – NIGER
At night, after separating objects that can be re-used from those to be burnt, youngsters set fire to the rubbish in the dumps of the capital. Amarou, aged 16, is a Malian lad who lives not far from the dump with other Nigerans. Amarou says he is ready to attempt the route to Europe, but without money he has no choice but to stay in Niamey. The fertility rate in Niger, the highest in the world [7,2 children per woman] and recent progress in the reduction of infant mortality [also the highest in the world], are causing serious social problems in the under-15 age-group. In Niger 49% of the population is currently under the age of 15.
Photograph by Alfredo Bini / © Alfredo Bini. All Rights Reserved.
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/ NIAMEY – NIGER
The Petit Marché is open until after sunset and nearby Ave du Gountou Yena is busy with people carrying their purchases. Some migrants buy the wherewithal for their journey here, where prices are lower than in Agadez. Most of those who pass through Niamey come from the western African states, especially Mali, Burkina, the Ivory Coast, Guinea, Ghana. Travellers from the southern states of Nigeria, Cameroun and Congo go via Birni N’Konni and Zinder, from where they make their way to Agadez either by regular coach or by any means they can find. At the moment about half of all the migrants crossing Niger come from Nigeria, in particular from the central and southern parts of the country where poverty, backwardness, corruption and exploitation of the petrol fields create the conditions which contribute to the surge in migratory flows towards Europe.
Photograph by Alfredo Bini / © Alfredo Bini. All Rights Reserved.
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/ AYOROU - NIGER
Muhammed Ali, 33, recalls the 20 months spent in Lybia awaiting departure towards Italy. With a wife and 4 children, in 2000 he crossed the Sahara Desert on the Agadez-Dirkou route which at the time had only been in use for a few years. His truck carried 180 passengers, 8 of whom died after drinking putrid water drunk from a well in the Sahara. The journey to Tripoli took 28 days , including two weeks in Dirkou selling off clothes to obtain the money to continue the journey. In possession of a tourist visa he was able to enter Libya officially, thus avoiding the "fraudeurs' " routes which are frequented by the Tubu bandits to be found between Niger-Libya-Chad. Once in Tripoli, diffident of the Libyan and Egyptian mafia who organise boats to Italy, he tried in vain to obtain documents endowing him with status of political refugee or worker requested by an Italian company. The forgers of the documents were the anglophone migrancy organisers in Tripoli. Warned of an imminent police raid in the foyer where he was living, he managed to conceal his savings and after 7 days imprisonment in Zanzur he was repatriated . Many of the foreigners arrested were robbed of everything they had. Of his experience in prison he remembers his fear upon arrival there and the sick or injured people with infected wounds and fractures caused by the dreadful lack of hygiene . Ali, who had never been inside a prison before considers himself lucky to have survived, and has abandoned the idea of emigrating to Europe. Asked to recall a few moments of his journey in the Tenere he said: "The desert is an open-air tomb". Despite this story, Gibril, a 32-year-old friend and colleague of Ali, declares himself prepared to risk all in order to reach Europe and find a good job.
Photograph by Alfredo Bini / © Alfredo Bini. All Rights Reserved.
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/ ABALAK - NIGER
The head of the military convoy which escorts the vehicles to the entrance to Agadez, about 200 km further north. Since 2007, the year which marked the beginning of the Tuareg revolt in Air, Agadez can only be reached by means of the military convoys. The area is off-limits to journalists and photographers and discovery leads to arrest. Army presence does not however prevent migrants without regular documents from crossing the control post at the city entrance. According to accounts collected in Dirkou, policemen and soldiers allow passage into Agadez to about 300 migrants per day upon payment of sums between 5000 CFA [7,euros] for francophones and 10000 CFA [15 ,euros] for anglophones, as well as 2000 CFA [euros] paid to the policemen. Once in the city they will await a convoy to take them to Dirkou, from where they will set off towards Lybia. The convoy of 6th April counted about 47 trucks, of which at least 25 carried between 130 and 150 migrants.
Photograph by Alfredo Bini / © Alfredo Bini. All Rights Reserved.
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/ ABALAK - NIGER
Tahoua province. The head of the military convoy.
Photograph by Alfredo Bini / © Alfredo Bini. All Rights Reserved.
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/ NIGER - AGADEZ
After more than 20 days' wait the Dirkou convoy is ready to move. 300 migrants arrive in Agadez every day and often the delays in the convoy departures cause overcrowding in the local accommodation facilities. The convoy of 6th April counted about 47 trucks of which at least 25 were carrying migrants, each with an average of 130-150 passengers. Once in Dirkou the same trucks will attempt to make for Lybia. This truck, just outside the city, is approaching the control post where soldiers and police check the documents.
Photograph by Alfredo Bini / © Alfredo Bini. All Rights Reserved.
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/ NIGER - TURAWET OASIS, C.100 KM FROM AGADEZ
The convoy's first stop. Turawet is a small Air village with about 200 inhabitants in the Air near a military outpost. Every 2-3 weeks the villagers welcome between 3000 and 4000 people on their way to Dirkou. The migrants do not get off the trucks, preferring to guard their luggage from potential thieves, but some of them celebrate their success in setting off. The villagers have set up a few stands where food and water can be bought. 100 km further on the convoy will be abandoned by the soldiers, and each truck will travel onwards independently. Four goods trucks were assaulted by bandits a few minutes after this photograph was taken. The convoy of 6th April counted about 47 trucks, of which at least 25 were carrying an average of 130 to 150 migrants. Many of these, once they reach Dirkou, will attempt the Lybia route.
Photograph by Alfredo Bini / © Alfredo Bini. All Rights Reserved.
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/ NIGER - TURAWET OASIS, C.100 K
The convoy's first stop. Turawet.
Photograph by Alfredo Bini / © Alfredo Bini. All Rights Reserved.
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/ NIGER – AGADEZ
6th April 2009. After a wait of over 8 hours in the desert sun the order to move has finally arrived. The soldiers use remote-controlled planes to ensure that the area is free of bandits or rebels and in the meantime, together with the police, they check the trucks and their passengers. This precaution was not sufficient to prevent an ambush the day after departure. Four trucks, officially transporting cigarettes, were assaulted and robbed. Fortunately no passenger trucks were involved in the episode. The convoy of 6th April counted about 47 trucks, of which at least 25 were carrying an average of 130 to 150 migrants. Many of these, once they reach Dirkou, will attempt the Lybia route.
Photograph by Alfredo Bini / © Alfredo Bini. All Rights Reserved.
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/ NIGER – AGADEZ
6th April 2009. After the 8 hour wait in the desert.
Photograph by Alfredo Bini / © Alfredo Bini. All Rights Reserved.
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/ NIGER - TENERE DESERT
Between the oasis of Fachi and Bilma. The camels' footprints merge with the tracks left by the trucks.
Photograph by Alfredo Bini / © Alfredo Bini. All Rights Reserved.
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/ TENERE DESERT. LAT: 18, 9961 - LON: 12, 8932
M.K., special adviser on the Sahara area to the Nigeran Prime Minister, explains the Agadez departure mechanism . All the repatriation trucks from Lybia stop in Dirkou. As soon as the Dirkou authorities are informed that a convoy is about to leave Agadez for Dirkou, they send a repatriation convoy which will meet the other on its way in a tragic-comical exchange of positions. This is to avoid overcrowding in the Dirkou oasis. In April 2009, with about 8000 migrants, the oasis was approaching its full capacity level. In the background there is a repatriation truck from Lybia.
Photograph by Alfredo Bini / © Alfredo Bini. All Rights Reserved.
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/ TENERE DESERT. LAT: 18, 9961 - LON: 12, 8932
M.K., special adviser on the Sahara area to the Nigeran Prime Minister, explains the Agadez departure mechanism .
Photograph by Alfredo Bini / © Alfredo Bini. All Rights Reserved.
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/ TENERE DESERT - LAT: 18, 9961 - LON: 12, 8932
Some youngsters celebrate their opportunity to reach Dirkou and then attempt to enter Lybia and get to Europe. The repatriation trucks meet those on the way to Dirkou.
Photograph by Alfredo Bini / © Alfredo Bini. All Rights Reserved.
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/ TENERE DESERT. LAT: 18, 9961 - LON: 12, 8932
A repatriation truck from Lybia. All the trucks arriving from Lybia stop in Dirkou.
Photograph by Alfredo Bini / © Alfredo Bini. All Rights Reserved.
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/ TENERE DESERT. LAT: 18,9961 – LON: 12,8932
Trucks arriving from Lybia used for repatriations.
Photograph by Alfredo Bini / © Alfredo Bini. All Rights Reserved.
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/ NIGER – WELL OF HOPE 400
7th April 2009, 400 km from Agadez. Obligatory stop on the second or third day of the journey. Objects abandoned by migrants passing through.
Photograph by Alfredo Bini / © Alfredo Bini. All Rights Reserved.
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/ NIGER - HOPE WELL 400
7th April 2009, 400 km from Agadez. Obligatory stop on the 2nd or 3rd day of the journey. The graffiti on the wall indicates the origins, the hopes or the dreams of those who wrote it. Charou Tchagam (sitting) is making for the oasis of Fachi. Mahamane Nour (lying down), the new prefect of Bilma, on the way to the area over which he will have "absolute control" for the next 5 years.
Photograph by Alfredo Bini / © Alfredo Bini. All Rights Reserved.
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/ THE TENERE DESERT, NIGER
Between the Achegour well and the Kaouar area, 80 km from Dirkou. Departure is before daylight, after checking bearings with the GPS.
Photograph by Alfredo Bini / © Alfredo Bini. All Rights Reserved.
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/ THE TENERE DESERT, NIGER
Between the well of Achegour and the area of Kaouar, 80 km from Dirkou. A moment of rest.
Photograph by Alfredo Bini / © Alfredo Bini. All Rights Reserved.
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/ THE TENERE DESERT, NIGER
Between the well of Achegour and the area of Kaouar, 80 km from Dirkou. A moment of rest.
Photograph by Alfredo Bini / © Alfredo Bini. All Rights Reserved.
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/ THE TENERE DESERT, NIGER
Between the well of Achegour and the area of Kaouar, 80 km from Dirkou. A moment of rest.
Photograph by Alfredo Bini / © Alfredo Bini. All Rights Reserved.
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/ THE TENERE DESERT, NIGER
Between the well of Achegour and the area of Kaouar, 80 km from Dirkou. A moment of rest.
Photograph by Alfredo Bini / © Alfredo Bini. All Rights Reserved.
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/ DIRKOU - NIGER
A child's toy imitates a 3-axeled truck, like the ones used to cross the desert. In the background a typical Dirkou shop where, as well as canned food and biscuits, they also sell the 10 liter water tanks used for the desert crossing.
Photograph by Alfredo Bini / © Alfredo Bini. All Rights Reserved.
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/ DIRKOU - NIGER
Prospel and James, Ghanaians. In preparation for their departure for Lybia they fill their water tanks at one of the many wells of the oasis. Because of the numerous foreigners crowding the oasis, the small centralized water deposit is no longer sufficient and many local inhabitants have started digging wells everywhere. Being open, or at best enclosed by old tyres or sheet metal, they gather quantities of dirt, risking pollution of the main groundwater.
Photograph by Alfredo Bini / © Alfredo Bini. All Rights Reserved.
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/ DIRKOU - NIGER
Central market. Used parts of trucks and jeeps for sale.
Photograph by Alfredo Bini / © Alfredo Bini. All Rights Reserved.
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/ DIRKOU - NIGER
9th April 2009. From the left Thomas [standing], 20, Bright 21, Kinsley 19. Respectively cook, mechanic, electrical technician. They are all Nigerian and shown in the room they share with another 5 fellow countrymen. They have been in Dirkou for 3 weeks and have already paid the 75000 CFA [114, euros] for the trip to Libya. They are just waiting for their driver to call them for departure. All 3 of them, qualified, are convinced that they will be able to find good jobs and a better social situation in Italy than In Nigeria. They come from the south of Nigeria where corruption and the terrible political-social situation offer no opportunities to those who remain in the country. If they are lucky, they will suffer neither breakdowns nor bandit attacks and arrive in the oasis of Al Gatrun 2 days after departure. There a policeman, by previous agreement with the jeep driver, will take the migrants in, ask them to have 100-150 euros sent from home, and then, once he has pocketed the money, send them on to the next oasis, where another policeman will do the same thing. There are at least 3 stages like this between Dirkou and Tripoli. They left for Libya with 27 other passengers in the late afternoon of Friday 10th April.
Photograph by Alfredo Bini / © Alfredo Bini. All Rights Reserved.
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/ DIRKOU - NIGER
Nasser, 52 , Chadian. Nasser is an electrical technician. He studied and worked for 2 years in Germany and for 1 year in Geneva. Then he returned home where he was part of the military police. Born of a Sudanese mother and Chadian father, he left his country for political reasons and because of his job he cannot now return there. By a curious coincidence his shop occupies the premises of an old travel agency, whose motto is still inscribed on the door: "Guaranteed express desert". He says he is too old to try and live in Europe again, and has settled definitively in Dirkou.
Photograph by Alfredo Bini / © Alfredo Bini. All Rights Reserved.
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/ DIRKOU - NIGER
Aboubakar, 30, Malian, shown amongst his belongings where he is living. He has been in Dirkou for 2 months and works for B.M. a local inhabitant, tending the garden and house. In a few months, once he has earned enough to be able to afford the journey to Lybia his boss will pay him. He earns 10000 CFA per month [15,7€]. B.M. has another Malian lad, in addition to Aboubakar, and 5 Ivorians working for him, under the same conditions, on a new building. Their dream is to be able to reach Italy.
Photograph by Alfredo Bini / © Alfredo Bini. All Rights Reserved.
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/ DIRKOU - NIGER
Radi, Ivorian, 30. Radi has been in Dirkou for 2 months. She works for O.K, a local inhabitant who also employs three other migrants from Cameroun in his kitchen garden. Radi manages O.K’s telephone centre. Migrant transit and the installation of repeaters has made telephone centres a booming business in Dirkou. Radi must also carry out the duties of half-wife to O.K, who already has two wives; Radi, says O.K., is a “distraction”. O.K is the man sitting next to Radi.
Photograph by Alfredo Bini / © Alfredo Bini. All Rights Reserved.
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/ TERMIT - NIGER
Tijani, 35, Malian. Tijani is a servant to a government personality. He has been in Niger for some years now. His home village was afflicted by famine and so he decided to attempt the way to Europe. His poor education and lack of money brought his journey to a halt in the Sahara. He soon found his current job, which he still almost takes pleasure in. "At least," he told me, " here I can eat when I want to, like normal people". Behind him is his employer.
Photograph by Alfredo Bini / © Alfredo Bini. All Rights Reserved.
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/ BILMA – NIGER
11th April 2009. Camera, 33, from Guinea Conakry. 4 children, a wife and a degree in Sociology. Having set out in August 2008, he arrives in Dirkou in mid-September and leaves for Lybia 10 days later. Near the Lybian border a Chadian gang assaults the jeep and takes Camera and some others to Chad, to work for the bandits. No further news arrives of the other passengers abandoned in the desert. Once free he moves on to Bilma, where he finds work under a soldier in the prefect’s headquarters. It is now December 2008. To return home he needs at least 50000 CFA [7 euros] , over 8 months' work. Camera is tired and has enured psychological suffering from his experiences. The prefect refuses me permission to take him to Niamey. I am reluctant to finance his return trip, but I am persuaded by an old photo taken just before he left home: the Camera before me was at least 20kg lighter than he was in the photo. I was certain that he would use the money for a second attempt at his Italian dream, but on May 9th a Burkinabe friend told me he had been contacted by Camera who was in Ouagadougou on the way home. In this picture Camera relives the moments of the assault and thinks how the Tubu and the Tuareg, consider the slavery endured by the black African peoples normal practice.
Photograph by Alfredo Bini / © Alfredo Bini. All Rights Reserved.
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