Menongue - The demining process in the south-eastern Cuando Cubango Province is showing positive results, with the clearing, between 2002 and 2023, of 399 fields that are currently used for cultivation and the movement of people and goods in the region.
The figures were presented to ANGOP on Monday by the representative of the National Mine Action Agency in Cuando Cubango, Marcial Cativa, who said that the cleared fields correspond to more than 67 million square metres.
According to the technician, this work was carried out in the municipalities of Menongue, Cuito Cuanavale, Cuangar, Rivungo, Mavinga, Cuchi, Dirico, Nancova and Calai, where 634 areas were identified, corresponding to over 83 square metres.
The official said that 36 fields, corresponding to 9.4 million square metres, are currently being demined and that work is progressing at a good pace, with emphasis on the municipalities of Cuito Cuanavale, Mavinga and Rivungo.
He said that in Cuando Cubango another 190 fields have yet to be cleared, corresponding to nine million 267,450 square metres.
He also said that from 2002 to 2023, 112 mine accidents had been recorded, resulting in 75 deaths, 96 injured and two unharmed, totalling 171 victims, caused by triggering, handling and working, including anti-tank mines, anti-personnel mines and uxos (various unexploded ordnance).
During this period, more than 5,000 people have been sensitised to the dangers of mines, with the involvement of more than 100 demining teams that are carrying out this task of raising awareness of accidents involving mines and other explosive devices.
The source explained that the teams have also been sensitising people to report to the authorities for prompt intervention when they find any strange object near their homes.
He said that the balance of the demining process in Cuando Cubango is positive so far, taking into account the results of the fields that have been cleared and are used to produce field products and the safety of movement of people and goods.
He clarified that in 2023 alone, through the brigades of the National Demining Centre (CND), the Halo Trust (a British non-governmental organisation), the Military Engineering of the Angolan Armed Forces (FAA), as well as the brigades of the Border Guard Police, it was possible to clear more than 2.4 million square metres and 75 kilometres.
The official said that 3,723 anti-personnel mines, 1,870 anti-tank mines, 1,807 uxos and 7,130 rounds of various ammunitions had also been demined, with Cuito Cuanavale and Menongue being the most targeted municipalities.
Marcial Cativa said that in the first quarter of the current year, revealed that 707,625 square metres were cleared with the removal of 554 anti-personnel mines, 232 anti-tank mines, 657 uxos and 576 ammunition of various calibres.
Cuando Cubango, the country's second largest province in territorial terms with 199,049 square metres after Moxico, has an estimated population of more than 700,000 inhabitants and was one of the regions of Angola most devastated by the armed conflict, making it one of the most heavily mined so far.
ALK/FF/PLB/MRA/jmc
