STEPHEN MBOGO, Bamako, Mali | Friday
ALTHOUGH most African countries have ratified the international Mine Ban Treaty, the continent continues to use landmines more than any other region in the world – and a staggering 31 of 53 states on the continent have a problem with uncleared landmines.
The 1997 treaty bans the use, production, transfer and stockpiling of antipersonnel mines.
“Since this treaty came into force, antipersonnel mines have been used in more conflicts in Africa than in any other region,” said Jody Williams, 1997 Nobel Co-Laureate and ICBL Ambassador at the opening of a two-day inter-governmental meeting.
Of the 53 countries on the continent, only 10 have yet to ratify the 1997 treaty, while 12 others have signed it, but not yet ratified it. A total of 110 countries worldwide have signed the treaty, the latest being Kenya.
Ten African countries that have yet to ratify it are: Central African Republic, Comoros, Congo (Brazzaville), Egypt, Eritrea, Libya, Morocco, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Somalia.
Twelve African countries that have signed but not yet ratified the treaty are: Algeria, Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Sao Tome Principe, Sierra Leone, Sudan and Zambia.
Despite signing the treaty, the Angolan government and opposition Unita forces continue to use landmines, said the ICBL’s latest Landmine Monitor report. It also alleges that mines are used in Burundi by the government and in Sudan by the government and opposition rebels. Thousands of mines were laid during the recent conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea.
Allegations also persist of use in the conflict in the DR Congo.
Zimbabwe is the only country on the continent that has national legislation in place.
Non-signatory Egypt, a staunch opponent of the landmine ban, is the only producer of antipersonnel mines on the entire continent of Africa.
South Africa destroyed its stockpile of nearly 250 000 mines in 1997. Mali, Namibia and Zimbabwe also recently destroyed their stockpiles. Globally, over 22 million antipersonnel mines have been destroyed in recent years.
Noel Stott of the South African Campaign to Ban Landmines, which is an ICBL member, said although Africa was one of the most mine-affected regions of the world it received perhaps the least mine action assistance.
Landmine Monitor Report 2000 recorded a total of $40 million spent in 1999 on mine action programmes in twelve countries in Africa, out of a global spending total of $211 million. – African Eye News Service