Angola’s demining efforts are close to declaring Huambo and Benguela provinces free of mines. These efforts have led to the removal of over 74 million square meters of landmines, yet challenges persist with hundreds of areas still needing attention and a looming deadline for compliance with international mine bans.
Angola is poised to achieve a significant milestone in its demining efforts, with two provinces, Huambo and Benguela, expected to be declared free of mined areas by the National Mine Action Agency (ANAM), as reported by the Portuguese news agency Lusa. Leonardo Severino Sapalo, the Agency’s director-general, confirmed that demining activities in these regions are “practically complete.”
The announcement followed the visit of an international delegation of diplomats to the Lobito Corridor, where they observed the work of the British NGO HALO Trust. This corridor, extending approximately 1,300 kilometers from the Port of Lobito to the Zambian border, has seen the removal and destruction of significant quantities of explosives: 43,142 anti-personnel mines, 2,460 anti-tank mines, and 235,050 unexploded ordnances.
Despite clearing over 74.76 million square meters, there remain at least 192 known minefields situated along the Lobito Corridor in the Biè and Moxico provinces. Sapalo reported that there are currently 975 areas across the nation still requiring demining, a reduction from over 1,000 as of the end of 2023, emphasizing the need for substantial funding to enhance the capability of national demining units.
The cost to de-mine a single square meter is approximately US$3.10. With around 70 million square meters yet to be addressed, total costs are projected to reach nearly US$240 million. In addition to funding from the General State Budget, international resources are being mobilized, although new mined areas may potentially be found, complicating the outlook.
Decades of conflict in Angola, including a long civil war, have resulted in the presence of an estimated 9 to 20 million landmines throughout the country. While approximately 5 million explosive devices had been cleared by last year, Angola faces ongoing challenges in meeting its commitments under the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, which mandates that all mines be removed within a decade of its ratification in 2002. The latest extension deadlines for compliance conclude on December 31st of this year.
In summary, Angola’s demining initiatives are nearing a crucial threshold with Huambo and Benguela provinces expected to be declared clear of mines. The ongoing efforts by the National Mine Action Agency underscore the importance of continued funding and international support, as significant work remains to eliminate the substantial number of mined areas throughout the country. The deadline set by the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention is a pressing factor that motivates these operations.
Original Source: macaonews.org
