History

Heavily mine-affected, Mozambique has one of the lowest per capita GDPs in the world. Its shattered economy is the result of its struggle for independence from Portugal, followed by a civil war between FRELIMO (Front for the Liberation of Mozambique) and RENAMO  (Mozambique National Resistance) from 1972-1992. During multiparty elections in 1994, Chissano, the leader of FRELIMO, was elected President.

Mozambique’s landmine crisis is a consequence of its long and bloody civil war.

•    According to the 2003 Landmine Monitor Report, landmines affect 1.3 million people and 346 million square meters are suspected of being contaminated.
• Mines are a problem in all ten provinces, however, Inhambane, Zambezia and Nampula are the most affected.

While these figures are useful, the widespread flooding of 2000 makes it hard to pinpoint exactly where landmines are located. Mines may have shifted in the flood and markings of mined areas may have been swept away and repositioned.

The unknown position of these mines has already delayed the repair of a power line that was destroyed by the flood. It is also difficult to use land for agriculture, build homes, resettle returning refugees, and implement infrastructure projects.

Mine Action

Despite these obstacles, the government and people of Mozambique are deeply committed to landmine clearance.

• As early as1994, 100,000 Mozambicans signed a petition calling for a total ban of antipersonnel mines.

•  In 1995, at the UN’s 50^th anniversary celebration, President Chissano stated that he was prepared to lead the international campaign to ban landmines.

• The government ratified the Mine Ban Treaty on August 25^th 1998 and it entered into force on March 1 of 1998.

Mozambique’s goal is to be mine free by 2011. The country is well on its way to meeting that goal.

• Mozambique completed the destruction of its stockpile of 37,313 mines on February 28, 2003.

• Approximately 8.9 million square meters of land was cleared in 2002

• Mine action is considered so integral to the overall socio-economic condition of the country that it was integrated into the Absolute Poverty Reduction Plan of Action which is aimed at reducing poverty by 20% over the next 10 years and raising the standard of living of all Mozambicans.

The Landmine Monitor reported that 13.5 million dollars had been donated for mine clearance in 2002. The United States has been the largest donor to main action programs in Mozambique with approximately $29 million since 1993. International support is still needed to keep the momentum strong.