“Deaths Head” Photo Provokes Storm of Controversy

mali-91.jpg

"Chilling", "surprising" and "hallucinatory". These are some of the words used to describe one particular photo from the French/Malian conflict taken by AFP photographer Issouf Sanogo.

The picture has inspired thousands of comments across the blogosphere and has induced the ire of the leadership of the French expeditionary force in Mali.

French military top brass were not, it seems,over-enthused at the appearance of one of its soldiers – a legionnaire – in a “death’s head” mask while on duty in an overseas military operation; looking like a ghost character from the computer game “Call of Duty”. A real soldier going into battle dressed like a hero in one of his computer games?

One could be forgiven for thinking that the photograph was a carefully-choreographed cover shoot for an action film or a video game but the circumstances of the photo were somewhat more banal than that, according to Sanogo. He explained that the French troops were trying to protect their faces from the huge clouds of dust created by a helicopter that was landing.

“I spotted this soldier who was wearing a curious-looking scarf and I took the photo. At the time, I didn’t find anything unusual or shocking about the scene. The soldier didn’t pose. There was no setting up involved in this image.”

French military chiefs, meanwhile, are left red-faced by the ghostly visage and are keen to identify the infamous trooper.

scroll to top

We use cookies on this website primarily to improve its functionality. Along with typical standard cookies, we also use cookies and content from Google (maps, YouTube, FaceBook, Twitter) to improve the performance of this site. In order to ensure compliance with the General Data Protection Requirements, all cookies and content from Google, Twitter, Facebook and co. are deactivated by default. They will only be activated once you click "Accept" to allow the use of cookies and third-party content. If you initially choose not to accept cookies, you will not be able to watch videos or access other media content on this site. However, you can change this setting on any page containing third-party media by selecting the option to allow content. On the Privacy Policy page under “Cookies” you have the option to give or revoke your consent to the use of cookies. For more information please click the link below to read our: Privacy Policy

The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.

Close