Angola’s Demining Progress: Milestone Expected in Huambo and Benguela Provinces

Angola is nearing a significant demining milestone with Huambo and Benguela provinces expected to be declared free of mines. The efforts involve the HALO Trust’s operations along the Lobito Corridor and highlight the ongoing need for substantial funding and support to address remaining mined areas nationwide. Angola continues to work towards fulfilling its international demining commitments.

Demining efforts in Angola are poised to achieve a significant milestone, with the expectation that two provinces will soon be declared free of landmines. According to Leonardo Severino Sapalo, the director-general of the National Mine Action Agency (ANAM), demining in Huambo and Benguela is “practically complete.” This announcement followed a visit by a diplomatic delegation to observe the operations of the British NGO, the HALO Trust, which has been operational in Angola since 1994.

The diplomatic visit aimed to evaluate progress in the Lobito Corridor, a vital economic and transport route extending approximately 1,300 kilometers from the Port of Lobito to the Zambian border. The demining efforts in this area include the removal of 43,142 anti-personnel mines, 2,460 anti-tank mines, and 235,050 unexploded ordnances, significantly enhancing safety and development prospects.

Despite the clearance of over 74.76 million square metres, there are still at least 192 minefields identified in Biè and Moxico provinces along the Lobito Corridor. Sapalo emphasized that 975 areas nationwide remain to be cleared, a reduction from over 1,000 at the end of 2023. However, he underscored the need for substantial funding to equip national demining units necessary for ongoing operations.

Demining operations incur a cost of approximately US$3.10 per square metre, and with an estimated 70 million square metres still known to contain mines, the overall financial requirement approaches US$240 million. While Angola is mobilizing both domestic and international funds, the potential discovery of additional mined areas poses challenges.

Decades of conflict, starting from the colonial struggle with Portugal through a prolonged civil war, has left Angola with an estimated 9 to 20 million landmines scattered throughout the country. Although roughly 5 million explosive devices were cleared by last year, Angola must continue its efforts to fulfill its commitments under the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, which mandates the removal of all landmines within a specified time frame—recently extended to December 31 this year.

In summation, Angola is making commendable progress in its demining initiatives, particularly in the provinces of Huambo and Benguela, where significant areas are nearing clearance. The efforts are accompanied by substantial logistical challenges and funding requirements, as the nation strives to fulfill its obligations under the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention by the end of the year. Continued international support will be crucial for the complete eradication of landmines and ensuring safety in affected areas.

Original Source: macaonews.org