GOVERNMENT has committed to continue clearing landmines planted during Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle, which ended with the attainment of independence in 1980 and pledged to support victims.
This was revealed during the 2nd Edition of the National Stakeholder Dialogue held in Harare aimed at freeing the world of landmines. The meeting was held under the theme, Humanitarian Demining and Mine Victim Assistance: The Path Forward.
Speaking during the dialogue, Defence minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri said significant progress was made in clearing landmines, with over 96% of contaminated areas having been cleared.
“The country has been working to clear landmines since 1999 when it signed the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (and) 96% of the landmine-infested areas in Zimbabwe have been cleared, leaving only 4% to be cleared,” she said.
Muchinguri-Kashiri said the devastating impact of landmines on communities, particularly in rural areas, highlighted the need for additional funding and adequate resources to address landmine challenges affecting the country.
“Landmines have claimed lives, injured many and shattered families. We still have 4% of our landmine-infested areas to clear and we need additional funding to complete the exercise.
“We are experiencing financial challenges as a ministry for us to clear the remaining 4%. Last year was not the best of years, but we are happy that government was able to avail US$2 million towards this programme.”
Muchinguri-Kashiri called on stakeholders to collaborate towards achieving a mine-free Zimbabwe, adding that this required concerted effort, including the donor community.
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“There is also a need to engage the affected communities, bilateral and multilateral co-operation and most importantly, unwavering commitment by all stakeholders to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention,” she said.
“As a result, we are working on submitting a three-year extension request to the secretariat of the treaty. The funding gap as of September 2024 for the completion of mine clearance in Zimbabwe by 2028 was US$23,79 million.
“On its part, government has set aside US$2 million towards the National Mine Clearance Unit, which requires US$23,79 million to complete the exercise.”
European Union ambassador to Zimbabwe Jobst Von Kirchmann reiterated the mission’s commitment to supporting Zimbabwe's mine action efforts.
“The EU has been a strong supporter of mine action in Zimbabwe and we will continue to assist to ensure a mine-free Zimbabwe,” he said.
Chief Nechombo, a representative of the affected communities and survivors, said that there was a need to clear landmines to make Zimbabwe a landmine and accident-free country.
“Landmines place a burden on communities. They make it unsafe for our children to go to school, unsafe to fetch water, unsafe to farm and even for our livestock to graze on new pastures. There is a need for de-miners to continue making Zimbabwe a better place,” he said.
