Back from North Africa

Last week, I was in North Africa as part of a team with the International Women's Media Foundation assessing the media for the Sahrawi refugee camps along the Morocco/Algeria border. It was my third trip to the region in two years, and the experience is always fascinating. 

The Sahrawis have lived in these tented camps for more than 35 years and have fought Morocco for control of a region called the Western Sahara, which is about the size of Colorado. Mineral rich, the territory has seen a United Nations-mandated cease fire since 1991, but negotiations have gone nowhere. Morocco's King, Mohammed VI, wants semi-autonomy, while the Sahrawi people want a referendum for self determination. 

The Internet was spotty, mostly nonexistent, and I was unable to send photos from abroad. So, as promised, here are a few pictures from my trip. Enjoy!