Luanda: Angola currently has 975 recognized mined areas spanning a surface area of 60 million meters, as disclosed by Leonardo Severino Sapalo, the director general of the National Mine Action Agency (ANAM), during an address in Luanda.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the financial burden of demining these areas is substantial, prompting the Angolan government to seek continuous support from the international community to mobilize necessary resources. Recent discoveries of mined areas have been reported in several provinces, including Bi©, Cuando, Cubango, Malanje, Moxico, and Moxico Leste. The regions of Moxico, Moxico Leste, Bi©, Cuando, Cubango, and Cuanza-Sul are noted as the most heavily mined.
Sapalo reported that in 2024, 64 areas were successfully cleared of mines, with assistance from public operators, national and international NGOs, as well as private operators. Despite these efforts, with the deadline for obligations under Article 5 of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use of Anti-Personnel Mines fast approaching, Angola is compelled to request a third extension for clearing all known mined areas.
Angola became a signatory to the Convention on December 4, 1997, ratifying it on July 5, 2002, and it took effect on January 1, 2003. Since joining the Convention, Angola and its partners have conducted mine clearance operations, educated the public on the dangers of explosive devices, and assisted victims, facilitating the implementation of various reconstruction and development projects.
These projects span public works, agriculture, energy, transport, tourism, education, health, and geology and mining sectors. Sapalo emphasized that these efforts reflect Angola’s commitment to fulfilling the Convention’s obligations and ensuring safe access to land for socio-economic development projects.
He noted that the initiative has led to reduced mine-related accidents, enhanced free movement, population resettlement, urban center expansion, and increased access to land for agriculture and cattle breeding. Demining has also contributed to constructing essential infrastructure such as hospitals and schools and improved access to biodiversity conservation and tourist areas.
Sapalo expressed gratitude to the Embassy of the Kingdom of Belgium and other international donors for their financial contributions to the mine action program. Belgian Ambassador St©phane Doppagne highlighted Belgium’s support of over 2.3 million euros for demining efforts in Angola over the past five years, primarily in Cuanza-Sul, Cuanza-Norte, and Bengo provinces.
The session, held in the Armed Forces Museum auditorium, was attended by over 150 participants, including government officials, diplomatic corps members, and civil society representatives.
