Angola's lingering threat: Landmines stall progress and safety
Nearly a thousand minefields remain in Angola following the civil war that ended in 2002. The country requires around 340 CAD million to clear them, as calculated by Brigadier General Leonardo Sapalo.
The civil war in Angola lasted almost 27 years. Although it concluded a quarter of a century ago, civilians continue to suffer fatalities from landmines scattered throughout the country.
According to data from Angola's National Mine Clearing Program, about 88,000 people have fallen victim to mines. Furthermore, mines have prevented thousands of people displaced during the war from returning to their homes.
The mines also hinder the construction of the railway line in the so-called Lobito Corridor, a key infrastructure project for Angola and neighbouring countries like Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Zambia.
Sapalo stated on Wednesday during a meeting with representatives of the British organization HALO Trust, which assists in clearing Angola of war remnants, that the railway line itself has been cleared of mines, allowing work to continue and trains to operate. However, some areas adjacent to the tracks still require demining, .
Progress in demining
General Sapalo reported that 43,142 anti-personnel mines, 2,460 anti-tank mines, and 235,050 unexploded ordnances have been removed along the Lobito Corridor. The average cost of clearing one square yard is 4.40 CAD.
During the meeting with representatives of the British organization HALO Trust, General Sapalo emphasized that further efforts are vital for the country's safety and development.
