Angola's Deadly Legacy: Landmines By The Millions

Angola is one of the most heavily mined countries in the world, with over 73 million square meters of land contaminated and over 1,100 known and suspected minefields. The country's 27-year civil war ended in 2002, but the impact of landmines and explosives remains, with millions scattered across the country. Angola's civil war was one of the great proxy conflicts of the Cold War, with both sides using landmines extensively. The human cost has been devastating, with over 88,000 people registered as living with injuries caused by landmines and other explosives.

The impact of landmines on Angola's economy and development

Angola is one of the most heavily mined countries in the world, with an estimated 9-15 million landmines scattered across the country. The impact of these landmines on Angola's economy and development has been significant and far-reaching.

Impact on Economic Development

The presence of landmines has hindered economic development in several ways. Firstly, they have restricted access to vital resources such as water and agricultural land, with food supplies being severely affected. For example, the town of Luena, with a population of 200,000, is almost entirely dependent on food aid due to the reduced land available for farming.

Secondly, landmines have impeded infrastructure development, including roads, waterways, railroads, and airports, which are essential for transportation, trade, and economic growth. The restriction on movement has also impacted the repatriation of refugees and resettlement of internally displaced persons, hindering the peace process and the country's economic recovery.

Thirdly, the threat of landmines has deterred foreign investment, which is crucial for economic development. The clearance of landmines in strategic areas, such as the Lobito Corridor, is expected to attract foreign investment in transport links, potentially transforming Angola's economy.

Impact on Communities and Livelihoods

Landmines have had a devastating impact on local communities, particularly those in poor and rural areas. People living in these areas are unable to build homes, farm safely, or expand their villages to accommodate returning refugees and displaced persons. This has led to overcrowding and limited access to basic services and resources.

The presence of landmines has also disrupted livelihoods, especially in the agricultural sector. Farmers are unable to cultivate their land, impacting food production and household incomes. Additionally, the threat of landmines has forced people to venture into unsafe areas in search of food and resources, putting their lives at risk.

Impact on Conservation and Tourism

Landmines have also impacted conservation efforts and the potential development of tourism in Angola. The Okavango watershed in the Angolan highlands, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been inaccessible to conservationists due to the presence of landmines. This area is critical for biodiversity, supporting a diverse range of wildlife, including African elephants, lions, cheetahs, and bird species. Clearing the landmines in this area is expected to boost economic development through sustainable tourism and conservation initiatives.

The process of landmine removal

Angola is one of the most heavily mined countries in the world, with over 73 million square meters of contaminated land and over 1,100 known and suspected minefields. The process of landmine removal is complex and dangerous, but it is essential for the safety and development of the country. Here is an overview of the steps involved in landmine removal:

Non-Technical Survey:

The first step in landmine removal is to conduct a non-technical survey to gather information about the minefield. This includes reviewing records of mine placement and accidents, interviewing former combatants and locals, identifying warning signs and unused agricultural land, and visiting potential sites. This step helps to narrow down the search area and identify high-risk locations.

Technical Survey:

The next step is to conduct a technical survey, where trained personnel physically explore potentially hazardous areas to improve knowledge of their boundaries. This step helps to confirm the exact locations of mines and reduce the time required to clear an area.

Detection Methods:

There are various detection methods used to locate landmines, including metal detectors, ground-penetrating radar (GPR), infrared and hyperspectral imaging, electrical impedance tomography (EIT), and explosive vapor detection. Each method has its advantages and limitations, and often multiple methods are used in combination to increase accuracy.

Manual or Mechanical Clearance:

Once the mines are located, they can be removed manually or with the help of mechanical devices. Manual clearance involves carefully excavating the mines by hand, while mechanical clearance uses vehicles with devices such as tillers, flails, rollers, or excavators. The choice between manual and mechanical clearance depends on the terrain, the nature of the debris, and the density of mines in the area.

Mine Destruction:

After the mines are removed, they must be destroyed. This can be done by defusing the mines, detonating them with additional explosives, or using chemical or thermal destruction methods. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages, and the choice depends on the type of mine, the level of risk, and the resources available.

Risk Education and Community Engagement:

Throughout the landmine removal process, it is essential to provide risk education to the local community. This includes teaching people how to recognize, avoid, and report landmines and other explosive devices. Community engagement is also crucial, and organizations often employ local men and women to help with the removal process, creating jobs and empowering families affected by the conflict.

The number of landmine casualties in Angola

Angola has the highest number of landmine amputees in the world, with an estimated 70,000 in the UN's 1995 Angola Appeal. The country also has the highest number of landmine casualties in Southern Africa. In 2002, 660 people were killed or injured by landmines, according to a report by the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL). While this figure represented a 21% drop from the 840 cases reported in 2000, it highlighted the challenges facing Angola as it rebuilds after decades of civil war.

The ICBL report also revealed that internally displaced persons (IDPs) accounted for up to 75% of all mine incidents. The provinces with the highest number of cases were Malange (23%), Uige (15%), Moxico (14%), Kuando Kubango (10%), and Huambo (9%). These figures reflect the intense conflict that ravaged the country.

As of 2014, the National Intersectorial Commission for Humanitarian Demining and Assistance (CNIDAH) had registered 9,165 survivors across several provinces as part of its national mine/ERW victim survey. The survey was suspended due to a lack of funds, but CNIDAH estimates the total number of injured mine/ERW casualties to be between 40,000 and 60,000.

The Angolan government's 2014 nationwide census revealed that 88,716 people were living with disabilities caused by landmines or other explosive devices. This figure included survivors from all 18 provinces, with a quarter residing in Luanda. Notably, mine and ERW survivors constituted one-eighth of the total population of persons with disabilities, with 2.5% of Angolans identified as having disabilities.

While Angola is not a known producer or exporter of landmines, 76 different types of anti-personnel mines manufactured in 22 countries have been uncovered or reported. The country has ratified the Ottawa Convention, which aims to prohibit the use and production of mines, and has committed to destroying its stockpiles by January 1, 2007.

The conservation and environmental impact of landmines

Angola is one of the most heavily mined countries in the world, with over 73 million square metres of contaminated land and more than 1,100 known and suspected minefields. The country's decades-long conflict has left a devastating legacy of landmines, hindering development and causing injury and death.

The presence of landmines has severe environmental implications, which are often overlooked in favour of more immediate humanitarian concerns. However, the environmental impact of these explosives cannot be understated, and it is crucial to address this issue for the long-term well-being of the affected regions.

Direct and Indirect Impacts

Landmines have both direct and indirect effects on the environment. Direct impacts refer to the immediate consequences of a landmine blast on the natural environment and its components. This includes the physical destruction of vegetation and the killing or injuring of wildlife. Indirect impacts, on the other hand, occur over time and space, with effects that may be continuous or delayed. An example of a continuous impact is the leaking of toxic heavy metals, such as mercury and lead, from decomposing landmines, leading to soil degradation and water pollution. Delayed impacts can be seen in the deterioration of soil composition, preventing the return of cultivation lands to their previous levels of agricultural productivity.

Environmental Degradation

Landmines contribute to environmental degradation in several ways. They directly cause soil degradation through explosions and the release of toxic substances. This degradation further leads to deforestation, as affected areas become inaccessible and susceptible to illegal logging. Additionally, landmines disrupt food chains and degrade habitats, potentially altering entire species' populations.

Impact on Water Resources

Landmines also pose a significant threat to water resources. They are often placed near water treatment facilities, and their explosions can contaminate water sources with heavy metals. Furthermore, heavy rainfall and floods can dislodge landmines, causing them to travel downstream to stable water bodies like lakes and estuaries, thereby extending the reach of pollution.

Impact on Conservation

The presence of landmines creates significant challenges for conservation efforts. Protected areas and biodiversity hotspots often coincide with mined zones, making effective conservation extremely difficult. Landmines hinder the movement of wildlife, disrupt habitats, and increase the vulnerability of already endangered species.

Addressing the Issue

Addressing the environmental impact of landmines requires a comprehensive approach. Firstly, there is a strong need for a global environmental impact assessment of landmines, particularly in heavily affected regions like Africa. This assessment should consider the effects on wildlife and evaluate atmospheric emissions from the destruction of stockpiles.

Secondly, humanitarian demining organisations must incorporate environmental management into their operations. While demining activities carry the risk of causing environmental harm, proper management and adherence to international standards can minimise these impacts.

Lastly, the development and implementation of environmental policies within humanitarian aid organisations are essential. This includes allocating resources, expertise, and funding to ensure environmentally responsible programmes.

The role of women in landmine removal

Angola's civil war, which lasted from 1975 to 2002, left behind a devastating legacy of landmines that continue to wreak havoc on the country's people and hinder its development. Women, in particular, have taken on a crucial role in landmine removal, challenging gender stereotypes and contributing to their nation's recovery.

The HALO Trust, a British nonprofit, has been at the forefront of the fight against landmines in Angola. Its "Women in Demining" project has empowered hundreds of Angolan women, providing them with skills, income, and a sense of purpose. These women, often clad in sky-blue kevlar body armour and equipped with metal detectors, painstakingly sweep areas for landmines, marking out sections of the minefield and clearing the undergrowth before carefully searching for these hidden killers. It is meticulous and dangerous work, but it is also empowering and financially rewarding, offering salaries ranging from $350 to $600 per month.

One such woman is Olimpia Nduva Chicoma Dala, who struggled to find employment before joining HALO's "Women in Demining" project. Despite her initial fears about the dangerous nature of the work, she found it empowering. "I would like to say to all women in the world, whatever you want to do in your life, do not give up, keep on going, she said. "Do not say this is men's work, we women can do anything too."

Another woman making a difference is Catarina Esperanca Sanhala, a former professional handball player who now spends her days as part of an all-female demining squad. She lives in a remote camp with her fellow deminers, working six days a week to rid her country of deadly anti-personnel and anti-tank mines. Sanhala's squad starts their day early, with a diesel generator roaring to life at 4:50 a.m. After a safety demonstration, they gear up with shears, gloves, rakes, metal detectors, and other equipment, and head into the minefield. It is challenging work that requires stamina and intense concentration, but Sanhala finds purpose in it: "It's hard work, and we have to face some dangers, but I like it. I wanted to do something helpful."

The Mines Advisory Group (MAG), another NGO working to remove landmines in Angola, has also witnessed the increasing role of women in this field. Women like Helena Kasongo and Joaquina Barbosa are on the front lines, risking their lives to make Angola safer for future generations. Kasongo, a mother herself, is determined to ensure that her daughter and other children will not fall victim to landmines. Barbosa, despite facing opposition from her family, pursued this career path to find fulfilment and challenge gender stereotypes.

The efforts of these courageous women are making a tangible difference in Angola. They are saving lives, enabling economic development, and challenging societal norms. Their work is a testament to the resilience and strength of Angolan women, who refuse to be defined by gender stereotypes and are determined to build a safer future for their country.

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