Angola’s demining efforts are nearing success, with plans to declare Huambo and Benguela free of mines by the end of the year. Significant removal of explosives has occurred in the Lobito Corridor, yet 192 minefields remain. Continued funding is pivotal for ongoing demining work, amid a historical legacy of landmines stemming from prolonged conflict.
Recent advancements in Angola’s demining initiatives are anticipated to culminate in the confirmation of two provinces, Huambo and Benguela, being declared free of landmines later this year, according to reports from the Portuguese news agency Lusa. Leonardo Severino Sapalo, the director-general of the National Mine Action Agency (ANAM), stated that the demining in these provinces is “practically complete.” This announcement followed a visit by a diplomatic delegation observing the operations of the British NGO, the HALO Trust, active in Angola since 1994.
The visit occurred as part of the delegation’s exploration of the Lobito Corridor, a critical economic corridor stretching approximately 1,300 kilometers from the Port of Lobito to the Zambian border. This project has necessitated the clearance of 43,142 anti-personnel mines, 2,460 anti-tank mines, and 235,050 unexploded ordnance, significantly contributing to the safety of the area.
Despite clearing over 74.76 million square meters, at least 192 known minefields remain in adjacent municipalities of Biè and Moxico provinces, as reported by the HALO Trust. Furthermore, Sapalo indicated that there are still 975 areas nationwide requiring demining, a decrease from over 1,000 at the end of 2023. Continued funding is essential for national demining units to possess the necessary logistical and technical capabilities.
The cost to demining one square meter is approximately USD 3.10, which leads to a nearly USD 240 million estimate for the clearance of around 70 million square meters of known areas. Although international resources are being mobilized alongside the General State Budget, there is a possibility of discovering additional mined areas.
Angola is still recovering from nearly 40 years of conflict, which left the nation with an estimated 9 to 20 million landmines. While around 5 million explosive devices had been cleared by the previous year, the country faces challenges in meeting its obligations under the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention ratified shortly after the civil war ended in 2002. The current deadline for complete clearance is set for December 31 of this year.
In summary, Angola is poised to celebrate significant accomplishments in its demining efforts, particularly in the provinces of Huambo and Benguela. While major progress has been made, including the clearance of vast expanses, challenges remain. A robust commitment to funding and international collaboration is essential to complete the demining process and achieve compliance with international obligations.
Original Source: macaonews.org
