Camille

From 2013 to 2015, a civil war tore the Central African Republic apart.

Seleka and Anti-Balaka militias clashed,

pitting Christian and Muslim communities against each other.

Thousands of people were killed, a million were displaced.

Camille Lepage covered the conflict from October 2013 to May 2014.

The Central African Republic May 12, 2014

Blue Unit, Blue Unit!

Blue listening.

There's a convoy advancing in our direction.

A truck and a dozen motorcycles.

David, can you see if they're armed?

Affirmative. They're armed. I see AKs...

They're armed. It's a group of Anti-Balaka.

What do we do?

I repeat. What do we do? Anti-Balaka approaching.

Prepare to establish contact. Don't take any risks.

Ok, preparing to establish contact.

David, stay above.

In position.

Stefan, take the left. Galiano, take the right.

Calm down! I can't hear what you're saying.

Turn off the engines.

Lower your weapon.

Can we come forward?

What's going on?

Lower your weapon.

Calm down.

Does anyone speak French here?

Everyone, calm down.

What's going on?

What's underneath?

Blue Unit, there are 5 bodies in the back of the vehicle.

4 Central Africans and 1 white woman.

Perpignan September 7, 2013

Festival of Photojournalism "Visa pour l'image"

Excuse me.

Do you have a minute?

You're not on my list, are you?

I just came from the Nouba Mountains.

I'm sorry, I don't have the time.

Terrible things are happening there and nobody talks about it.

We already did 2 or 3 articles on that.

People are dying every day, and nobody cares.

Of course, 30 years of war, 2 million dead people,

everybody thinks nothing will ever change. But it could!

I don't believe there are cursed countries, do you?

Ok, you got me.

- What's your name? - Camille Lepage.

Camille Lepage.

I'm listening.

There is a war going on between the Sudanese army and the FPLA North.

The rebels try to defend their lands and traditions against Khartoum.

Could you bring me something quick and easy?

- Toasted ham and cheese? - Perfect. And some water.

Please, go on.

- Since 2012... - Talk to me about what you've seen.

A priest helped me cross the border

and thanks to him I met the commander of the rebels.

This is Nader, one of the soldiers accompanying me.

He joined the rebels last year. He's 19.

Because of the bombings,

people leave their villages and hide in the mountains.

The children grew up with the war.

When they hear an engine, they shout, "Antonov!"

and run to the nearest cave.

This is after the bombing.

- And this one? - A hospital, the only one in the area.

Ok, ok.

You've had an incredible journey with the people there.

That's impressive. Really.

But it's not enough.

- You don't like any of my pictures? - No, there are some good ones.

But I get the impression that you walk around with a camera

and photograph everything that you witness.

That's not what being a photographer is about.

What are you really concerned about?

Is it the war? The people? The culture?

You have to choose.

I'm not good at editing. Maybe that's why.

You can't edit if you don't know what you want to say.

What's your style?

Portraits?

Or is it action?

I don't know who you are as a photographer.

Thanks.

- Got it all? - Yeah.

Don't take any risks.

I promise.

You promise?

You said that last time and took some anyway.

Be careful.

Seleka, who are you to come kill us?

Seleka, who are you to come kill us?

Seleka, who are you to come kill us?

The Central African Republic (CAR).

Since their coup in March 2013, Seleka rebels have sowed terror.

On November 16, they assassinate a judge.

Peace and only peace!

Peace and only peace!

Peace and only peace!

Bangui November 22, 2013

- You're all students? - All of us.

- What are you studying? - Us 3, Economy.

At the university over there?

- You're a journalist? - Yeah.

- You work for? - I'm a photographer.

You have to talk about us and our situation.

- That's why I'm here. - The world needs to know.

We're sick of it! We want the truth.

We're suffering.

Is this the campus?

Yeah!

- Is this where you have class? - It's where we live.

Leïla, are you Muslim?

No, I'm Christian.

But isn't your name...

My father's Muslim.

Keep your shoes on.

I'm not the President! It says "no exceptions."

You're our guest. We don't mind.

So whose room is this?

The boys' room.

- Just boys? - Yes, 4 of us.

This is my bed.

- And that's your guitar? - Yep.

Everyone, get together for a group photo.

Smile!

No running water?

No, we go downstairs to get it.

Since when?

Over 10 years.

Decades.

- Did the coup change things? - Lots of things.

- Like what? - People were robbed, others killed.

- Lots of violence. - Like during the mutinies.

No, no...

Before the Muslims, things were good.

- Why accuse the Muslims? - It's true.

Muslims aren't all Seleka. Abdou's not a Seleka.

- We're the first victims. - How?

My cousin was robbed and tortured. He's at the hospital.

Our entire neighborhood was pillaged. You're telling me about a cousin.

I don't agree.

- It's not the same. - The Muslims brought the Seleka.

Don't lump them all together.

It's the Muslims!

You support the Seleka, don't you?

Idiot.

- I'm gonna engage you. - You should!

What does "engage" mean?

I'm gonna smack him! He's a thug!

- I'm 25 years old. - 25?

You're not scared coming to a country in crisis?

Am I too old or too young?

Too young!

You're not afraid of the shooting?

- I'm interested. - Really?

Interested in what?

What good does it do us?

- All of your pictures. - What do we get out of it?

When you protest,

what do you get?

We do it for the country.

It's the same for me.

If I wanted to earn lots of money, I wouldn't be here.

I'm here because...

I want to show what's happening.

I want to support your country,

and incite people to come help.

Are you married?

You always talk about money! Can't we talk about other things?

He asked if you were married?

No.

- Any children? - No.

- Are your parents worried? - Yes.

Aren't they afraid?

Yes, but they let me come.

And you're not afraid?

I'm interested in telling your story.

You're interested, ok. But aren't you afraid of the Seleka?

No.

Drop her off at the nuns' behind Fateb.

That's 200 CFA.

It's 150. Don't pay him more.

- We'll see you tomorrow. - See you then!

Chicken shawarma with garlic sauce.

And cabbage.

How's your family?

- How's your family? - Fine, thank you. You?

Whitey!

- Give me 500 francs. - I did this morning!

Give 500!

We're hungry.

Here.

Share it.

Share it! That's all I have.

Early December 2013.

The capital is calm, but war wages in the North.

The Seleka are pillaging and burning villages.

The population forms self-defense militias: The Anti-Balaka.