Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
Southern Africa is the sub-continent most affected by the legacy and plague of landmines. Slightly more than 1/3 of the mines produced throughout the world can be found in Africa. In addition to the human tragedy mines have caused, landmines are a significant impediment to the economic and social development of Southern Africa. Vast areas of land have become unsuitable for settlement for farming; trade and transport are constrained; and there is great pressure on an already pressured health and rehabilitative infrastructure. In addition, landmines, by preventing refugees and displaced persons from returning to their homes, undermine the peace process in the aftermath of conflict and impact negatively on sustainable economic development and reconstruction.
In order to address the top priority of the demining of the Southern African region, the Experts Committee on demining in the SADC region met on 6 November 1997 in Pretoria, to discuss the implementation of the SADC project on demining, supported by the EU.
The Experts Committee focussed on the following issues:
1. Technological innovation in the region;
2. Treatment and rehabilitation of mine victims;
3. Database (Mapping & Marking);
4. Specialist Training;
5. Mine Awareness.
The meeting was chaired by Mr Ossorio Sereviano, National Director of the Mozambican Demining Commission. In his opening address Mr Sereviano reminded representatives of the "killing fields of Southern Africa" and the important task of the committee and member states in supporting a total ban on landmines internationally, and the great need to cooperate and focus our collective efforts in alleviating the plight of landmine victims in our region.
In addition, the meeting approved the recruitment of a technical assistant to plan and manage strategies and action plans for the implementation of the project in conjunction with the SADC Secretariat and EU officials. It is also envisaged that a financial agreement will be concluded during a meeting of SADC/EU officials in Lusaka towards mid December 1997 which will provide momentum to the SADC/EU initiative. An international symposium to deliberate and provide guidance on the critical problems relating to the treatment and rehabilitation of mine victims was also approved by the Experts Committee. The conference is planned for the last quarter of 1998.
The meeting was successful and set a time table for the implementation of the respective projects. It is anticipated that the consultations of the Experts Committee will lead to greater cooperation within the region on the coordination of resources, standards and methods for dealing effectively with the 20 million mines estimated to remain within the Southern African region.
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS PRETORIA 6 NOVEMBER 1997