Angola's Mine Problem: A Historical Perspective

Angola is one of the most heavily mined countries in the world, with over 73 million square metres of land contaminated and over 1,100 known and suspected minefields. This is due to the country's civil war, which lasted from 1975 to 2002. During this time, landmines were laid by both government troops and UNITA forces. Angola's civil war was fuelled by the military intervention of Cuba, with support from the Soviet Union, and South Africa.

Since the end of the war, Angola has been working to clear its land of mines. The Halo Trust has been clearing landmines in Angola since 1994 and has destroyed almost 100,000 landmines. In 2020, a unique project in partnership with the Angolan government began with the aim to clear landmines in the Okavango headwaters, a World Heritage Site.

Angola's civil war lasted from 1975 to 2002

The MPLA and UNITA had different roots in Angolan society and incompatible leadership, despite sharing the aim of ending colonial rule. A third movement, the National Front for the Liberation of Angola (FNLA), had fought alongside UNITA during the Angolan War of Independence but played a minimal role in the Civil War.

The war can be divided into three periods of major fighting: from 1975 to 1991, 1992 to 1994, and from 1998 to 2002, with fragile peace in between. By the time the MPLA achieved victory in 2002, between 500,000 and 800,000 people had died, and over one million had been internally displaced. The war devastated Angola's infrastructure and severely damaged public administration, the economy, and religious institutions.

The Angolan Civil War was notable due to the combination of violent internal dynamics and a high degree of foreign military and political involvement. It is widely considered a Cold War proxy conflict, with the Soviet Union and the United States, along with their respective allies Cuba and South Africa, assisting the opposing factions.

The conflict resulted in the widespread use of landmines, which continue to contaminate large areas of Angola, hindering development and causing injury and death. Angola remains 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. Millions of landmines and other unexploded ordnance are still scattered throughout the country.

Angola is one of the most heavily mined countries in the world

Angola remains one of the most heavily mined countries globally, with over 73 million square meters of land contaminated and more than 1,100 known and suspected minefields. The exact number of landmines in the country is unknown, but the Angolan mine authority estimates there are approximately 1,200 minefields. Millions of landmines and other unexploded bombs are still scattered throughout the country, posing a significant threat to local communities.

The contamination in eastern Angola has had a severe impact on the local population. People living in impoverished areas are unable to safely build homes or farm their land. Villages cannot expand to accommodate returning refugees, and economic development is hindered.

The process of clearing landmines in Angola is challenging and costly. Since 1994, organizations like the HALO Trust and MAG have worked tirelessly to remove these deadly devices. Despite their efforts, it is estimated that at the current rate, it would take hundreds of years to completely eradicate landmines from the country.

The presence of landmines in Angola has had devastating consequences, with an estimated 100,000 people living with mutilations caused by these explosives. The true number of casualties may never be known, as many incidents go unreported. The impact of landmines in Angola extends beyond physical injuries, traumatizing individuals and communities and hindering the country's development.

Angola's government and UNITA forces have both used anti-personnel landmines

Angola is one of the most heavily mined countries in the world, with over 73 million square metres of land contaminated and over 1,100 known and suspected minefields. The country's civil war, which lasted from 1975 to 2002, left millions of families facing starvation or forced to flee their homes. When the fighting ended in 2002, landmines and explosives littered fields, villages, and towns, killing and injuring thousands. Angola's government and UNITA forces have both used anti-personnel landmines, despite Angola signing the Mine Ban Treaty on 4 December 1997.

Angola's commitment to the treaty has been questioned, with the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) condemning both sides for their use of anti-personnel mines. The ICBL is particularly appalled at the Angolan government's disregard for its international commitments, as under Article 18 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, a state is obliged to refrain from acts that would defeat the purpose of a treaty when it has signed the treaty.

Despite the ongoing danger and human cost of landmines in Angola, removing them is a costly and dangerous task. At current rates, it would likely take hundreds of years to eradicate them completely. However, organisations such as the HALO Trust and MAG have been working to clear landmines in Angola since 1994, and Princess Diana and Prince Harry have also helped raise awareness of the issue.

Angola's civil war left behind millions of traumatised people, including former child soldiers and rape victims

The war had a devastating impact on the country's infrastructure and economy, with fields, villages, and towns left littered with landmines and explosives. The use of landmines has had a lasting impact on Angola, with over 73 million square meters of land still contaminated today. The process of clearing landmines and rebuilding the country has been slow, and many Angolans continue to live with the trauma of the war.

The war also had a significant impact on the country's social fabric, with deep divisions created between supporters of the two main factions, the MPLA and UNITA. These divisions were often based on ethnic lines, with the MPLA drawing support from the Ambundu people and the UNITA supported by the Ovimbundu people. The war also created a generation of Angolans who knew nothing but conflict, with children growing up in an environment of extreme violence and insecurity.

The psychological impact of the war has been profound, with many Angolans suffering from PTSD, depression, and other mental health issues. The country's healthcare system, which was already overburdened before the war, has struggled to meet the needs of those affected. The social stigma associated with mental illness has also been a barrier to seeking help for many.

In addition to the direct trauma caused by the war, the conflict also had indirect effects on the population. The collapse of the country's infrastructure and economy left many without access to basic services such as education, healthcare, and clean water. The war also disrupted traditional social structures and communities, leaving many feeling isolated and disconnected. The legacy of the war continues to affect Angola today, with high rates of poverty, unemployment, and social inequality.

The road to recovery has been long and challenging for Angola, with the country still struggling to address the physical and psychological scars of the war. The process of reconciliation and rebuilding has been slow, and many Angolans continue to live with the trauma of the conflict. However, there are also signs of hope and resilience, with efforts being made to address the issues and build a better future for the country.

Angola's government has been working with organisations to clear landmines since 1994

Angola's civil war, which lasted from 1975 to 2002, left the country littered with landmines and explosives. Angola is one of the most heavily mined countries in the world, with over 73 million square metres of land contaminated and over 1,100 known and suspected minefields. Millions of landmines and other unexploded bombs are scattered throughout the country, continuing to kill and injure thousands.

Angolan authorities have been working with organisations to clear landmines since 1994. The HALO Trust, for example, has been clearing landmines in Angola since 1994 and has destroyed almost 100,000 landmines. Initially, they focused on removing landmines in regional capitals and towns, such as Huambo, which Princess Diana visited in 1997. Today, their work is focused on rural areas, clearing landmines that have plagued communities for over 30 years.

Another organisation, MAG, has been working in Angola since 1994 and has operations in the eastern provinces of Lunda Norte, Lunda Sul, and Moxico. In the last decade alone, with the support of the Angolan government, MAG has cleared more than 10 million square metres of minefields for communities—the equivalent of 1,400 football pitches. They use a mixture of manual and mechanical methods to clear areas containing landmines or unexploded bombs.

In 2020, a unique project in partnership with the Angolan government and HALO Trust began with the aim to clear landmines in the Okavango headwaters—a World Heritage Site that forms part of the five-country Kavango-Zambezi Trans Frontier Conservation Area (KAZA). By clearing the mines, conservation-led development can take place, allowing wildlife and local people to thrive.

Angola has also been working with APOPO, an NGO that uses landmine detection rats (aka HeroRATs) to accelerate detection and clearance. APOPO has been in Angola since 2012, working in direct partnership with the Angolan Mine Action Authority, CNIDAH. In one instance, APOPO concluded a group of eight tasks comprising one expansive minefield located near a residential area in the village of Quitexe. As a result, 2,008,000 square metres of land were cleared and returned to the surrounding village, and 30 landmines and 1,403 other explosive remnants of war were destroyed.

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