Angola is nearing a milestone in its demining efforts, with two provinces expected to be declared free of mines by year-end. While major progress has occurred, with significant mine clearance, challenges persist due to remaining minefields and the need for substantial funding to complete national demining initiatives.
Angolan demining initiatives are poised to achieve a significant milestone as the director-general of the National Mine Action Agency (ANAM), Leonardo Severino Sapalo, anticipates declaring two provinces free of mines by the year’s end. The announcement follows the assessment by a multi-national delegation visiting the efforts of the British NGO, the HALO Trust, which has been operational in Angola since 1994, particularly focusing on the Huambo and Benguela provinces.
The delegation’s visit was part of a broader tour of the Lobito Corridor, a crucial economic corridor that spans approximately 1,300 kilometers from Lobito Port to the border with Zambia. This corridor project has necessitated the removal of a staggering 43,142 anti-personnel mines, 2,460 anti-tank mines, and 235,050 unexploded ordnances, thus impacting land safety and development.
Despite achieving the clearance of over 74.76 million square meters, at least 192 minefields remain active in the surrounding municipalities of Biè and Moxico, according to the HALO Trust. Additionally, nationwide, there are 975 areas still identified for demining, a decrease from over 1,000 at the close of 2023, but highlighting the urgent need for ongoing support in logistics and technology to enhance demining efforts.
The financial implications are significant, with the cost of demining one square meter estimated at approximately $3.10, resulting in a total projected cost of nearly $240 million for the 70 million square meters of known mined areas. While the national government is allocating funds from the General State Budget, international assistance is also being sought, amid concerns that further mined areas may still be uncovered.
Decades of conflict, including a lengthy civil war and colonial struggle, have left Angola with an estimated 9 to 20 million landmines. As of the previous year, Angola successfully cleared around 5 million explosive devices. However, there remains a substantial obligation under the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, which mandates the complete removal of landmines by December 31 of this year, a deadline that is swiftly approaching with ongoing challenges and needs.
In conclusion, Angola’s demining efforts are on the verge of significant progress with two provinces likely to be declared free of mines. However, a considerable number of minefields remain active, necessitating ongoing international support and funding to meet the obligations set by the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention. As the deadline approaches, concerted efforts will be essential to ensure the successful clearance of all mined areas.
Original Source: macaonews.org
