Nothing and So Be It
A war divides families, a wall divides families, thirty-seven years are dividing families.
The history of the Saharawi people is tormented. After the Spanish colonization in 1975, the Saharawi (literally "people of the desert") were forced to flee from their homeland, the Western Sahara, after the invasion of Morocco for the natural wealth of their territory.
Algeria gave its support, allowing them to settle down in a territory within its borders, but this is one of the most inhospitable lands in the world, the Hammada Desert. Here the R.A.S.D. (Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic) was founded, and it is currently a member of the OAU (Organisation of African Unity) and it is politically recognized by 73 states worldwide.
Many are remained in the moroccan occupied territories, families suddenly found themselves divided, with no chance to get in touch with their loved ones: in fact during the fighting only part of the population was able to face the desert crossing, and the rest of the population remained in the cities.
During the war, Morocco built a wall called "Berm", protected by millions of landmines, to safeguard its achievements and the division of the Saharawi's became permanent.
Even today in the cities of Western Sahara, the Saharawi were forced to live in a constant state of alert due to the recurrence of violence by Moroccan forces, the demonstrations for the self-determination of Western Sahara are setted every day, and avery day are repressed in violence from the police.
Even today, the Saharawi are a single population with a unique soul and a divided body, that is waiting a solution that is in late.
Christian Tasso, born in Macerata (Italy) in 1986, produces video and photojournalism reportage on social, anthropological, and humanitarian themes.
He works on medium and long term projects in collaboration with public organizations, non-profit humanitarian organizations and magazines.
His work is represented from Posse Photo Agency.