Angola’s demining initiatives are nearing completion in Huambo and Benguela provinces, with expectations of declaring these areas mine-free soon. The Lobito Corridor project has facilitated the removal of numerous mines and unexploded ordnance, though many minefields remain. Substantial financial resources are necessary for ongoing efforts, and crucial deadlines are approaching under international agreements.
Demining efforts in Angola are nearing a significant milestone, with the National Mine Action Agency (ANAM) announcing the expected confirmation of two provinces as free of mines later in the year. Leonardo Severino Sapalo, the agency’s director-general, reported that “the demining of known mined areas is practically complete” in Huambo and Benguela, following the observation of ongoing efforts by a multi-national diplomatic delegation.
This delegation’s visit was part of a tour of the Lobito Corridor, an economic and railway project spanning approximately 1,300 kilometers from the Port of Lobito to the Zambian border. The demining initiative involved the removal of 43,142 anti-personnel mines, 2,460 anti-tank mines, and 235,050 unexploded ordnances over an area exceeding 74.76 million square meters. However, despite these efforts, there remain at least 192 known minefields along the Lobito Corridor in nearby municipalities of Biè and Moxico.
According to the HALO Trust, 975 demining zones nationwide are still outstanding, a reduction from over 1,000 at the close of 2023. Significant funding is necessary to equip national demining units with the required logistical and technical capabilities, as the cost to clear one square meter is approximately US$3.10. With nearly 70 million square meters still known to contain mines, the overall expense could reach around US$240 million.
The aftermath of nearly four decades of conflict has left Angola with an estimated 9 to 20 million landmines. By the previous year, around 5 million explosive devices had been cleared, but the country continues to grapple with its obligations under the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, originally signed in 1997. The current extension mandates that Angola must completely remove mines by December 31 of this year.
In summary, Angola’s demining efforts are significantly progressing with the potential declaration of two provinces as mine-free. The Lobito Corridor has seen substantial demining activity, but challenges remain, including the need for substantial funding and the presence of undiscovered mines. Angola faces pressure to fulfill its international obligations regarding mine clearance, particularly as the deadline looms for complete demining by the end of December this year.
Original Source: macaonews.org
