South Africa on 26 June 1998 deposited its Instrument of Ratification of the convention on the prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction at the Office of the Secretary General of the United Nations in New York. The deposit of the Instrument of Ratification follows the earlier ratification of the convention by the South African Parliament in May 1998.
South Africa signed the Convention on 3 December 1997 in Ottawa and 124 States, 38 of which are from Africa, have signed the Convention thus far. The Convention will enter into force after 40 ratifications. To date 21 States have ratified the Convention.
On 18 September 1997, the Oslo Diplomatic Conference on an International Total Ban on Anti-Personnel Landmines adopted the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction. In terms of the Convention State Parties will be obligated not only to ban the use of anti-personnel mines but also to ensure their destruction. With the final phase of the destruction of its stockpiled anti-personnel mines in October 1997, South Africa fulfilled its obligation in terms of this Convention.
South Africa is committed to the earliest possible entry into force of the Convention and will be promoting the universality of the Convention as the international norm in banning such mines. South Africa will do its utmost to contribute to the removal of landmines, especially in the region, and provide assistance for the care and rehabilitation, and the social and economic interaction, of mine victims.
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS PRETORIA 29 JUNE 1998