“As we come round a bend, we are surprised as we come across 30-40 people lying face down on the ground, with their hands on their heads. It’s already too late, we have walked right into an ambush. Heavily armed men in military uniforms stop our vehicle, and throw us to the ground with the rest. I am wearing the full hijab, or abaya. I am afraid, very afraid. I don’t think they have seen me properly yet. Here, in these Malian lands, I would be worth a lot of money as a hostage… I think of my daughter. What was I thinking coming here?”
Read more of Veronique De Viguerie’s account of photographing the recent conflict in Mali in the latest Reportage Journal.
Caption: Boni, Mali - January 21: A group of refugees ambushed in the no man’s land between Mali and Burkina Faso. A group of heavily armed hooded men in military uniform forced them from their vehicles, and forced them to the ground. The perpetrators emptied the refugees’ bags and stole everything of value.
