Luanda – Atleast seventy six million, 188,206 square metres is the total area contaminated with explosive devices in the country, the director-general of the National Mining Agency, Brigadier Leonardo Sapalo said Thursday, in Luanda.
This data was presented during the meeting between the National Mine Action Agency (ANAM) and the Office of Weapons Removal in the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs (PM/WRA).
According to the general director of the National Mines Agency, brigadier Leonardo Sapalo, the country still has many contaminated areas with explosive devices and their elimination will only be possible with a joint effort between the government and partners reflected in the meeting held with an American delegation.
The partner is a strong worldwide donor in action against mines, emphasizing that according to the mapping of the provinces of Moxico with 235 square meters, Bié with 116, Cuanza Sul with 100 and Cuando Cubango with 78, has the largest areas with mines.
The official considered important mobilization to encourage the donors, not only non-governmental organizations, but also for the National Demining Center which will work together to gradually eliminate all contaminated areas.
He said that the success of mine elimination until 2025 includes the continued training of staff and investments to get appropriate financial resources which will support the acquisition of equipment for the demining operation.
“Angola signed the Ottawa Convention in 1997, but its implementation was only achieved with the conquest of peace, having the obligation to eliminate all known (mined) areas until 2025”, reinforced the official.
According to the American delegation representative, Ms Aisha Kamara, the government of her country is committed to supporting Angola in eliminating mines to consolidate peace, security and economic prosperity of all Angolans.
She said that up to now, the United States of America (USA) already invested USD 149.9 million to fight mines and they will continue supporting Angola, especially the provinces of Moxico, Cuando Cubango and Bié through the Okavango Delta Project to facilitate ecotourism.
She stressed that with qualified staff and resources, it is possible to eliminate mines by 2025 and even if this does not happen, the US will continue to support these efforts.
In 1997, the treaty was signed by 157 countries. The Ottawa Convention was not adopted by 38 countries, among them the United States, Cuba, Russia, India and China.
Data from the last six years show that Angola has already cleared 90% of the areas suspected of mine contamination.
According to the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL), the Landmine Monitor, Angola remains among the countries classified as having massive contamination, with more than 100 square kilometres of areas with landmines and other explosive devices.
According to the data, in 2018 mines caused 28 accidents, which resulted in the death of 19 people, eight of them children, and injuries, some of them serious and another 45, a third of them, 30, also children.
The figures indicate that the demining process in Angola has cost over USD 500 million (446 million euros) since 2002.
The demining process in Angola, which began in 2002 with the end of the civil war, started in identified areas as priorities for the revival of agriculture, farming, industry and tourism, with a view to allowing the free movement of people and goods
Source: Angola Press News Agency