SRSG Onanga-Anyanga’s Statement to the
African Union Peace and Security Council Open Session “to Commemorate the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, Impact to Peace and Security in Africa”

Addis Ababa, 03 April 2023

Mr. Chairperson,

Distinguished Members of the Peace and Security Council,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am pleased to join you on this important occasion of the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action. This day provides us with an opportunity to celebrate our collective achievements, reflect on the challenges, and renew our commitment to work steadily towards overcoming them.

Landmines, explosive remnants of war, and other explosive threats pose a serious threat to human life, health, and socio-economic development. According to data collected as part of monitoring the UN Mine Action Strategy 2019-2023, casualties in all 30 countries with UN mine action programmes in 2021 alone, amounted to some 12,500 deaths and injuries from the use of explosive ordnances. In many instances, the consequences of these threats exceed the duration of the conflict, and generations who have not lived through war suffer the consequences of the conflict, often paying the ultimate price.

However, it is heartening to note that African nations have been strong advocates in the global process leading to the adoption of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention in 1997. The African Union has also played an important role in global efforts to achieve a mine-free world, including through its commitment made in the 50th Anniversary Solemn Declaration adopted by Heads of State and Government in May 2013.

In this context, I commend Nigeria for being the latest African State to ratify as of 28 February 2023, the international Convention on Cluster Munitions, becoming the 111thcountry to do so.

Mr Chairperson, Distinguished Members,

The United Nations has been helping States to free themselves from the threat of mines, explosive remnants of war, and improvised explosive devices for more than 25 years. This year, the United Nations has launched a new campaign - “Mine Action Cannot Wait” - to ensure that no one, no state, and no war zone is left behind. The aim of this global campaign is to empower communities to keep children safe, facilitate safe movement of displaced persons and humanitarians, advocate for the rights of survivors, and generate an opportunity for sustainable movement. The path towards achieving the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the African Union 2063 Agenda must be clear of landmines, explosive remnants of war, and improvised explosive devices. All people have the right to live in security, and not fear their next step. Mine action clears paths, and creates safe ground on which goods can be transported, and homes can be built or rebuilt.

National responses to the threat of explosive ordnance, supported by international engagement, have been underway for decades. In 2022, the UN has a mine action presence in 14 AU Member States, which comprises 41% of the states in which the UN has a presence globally. The United Nations remains committed to partnerships with the African Union, especially with regard to joint operational responses, information sharing, and collective advocacy efforts. We call on Member States to support international efforts by mainstreaming mine action into national planning and budget processes, and by ensuring compliance with international humanitarian law and international human rights law.

Excellencies,

In recent years, improvised explosive devices have become a significant threat to peace-support and peace-keeping operations across the continent, posing a significant threat to the lives of civilian, humanitarian and military personnel. Often, such personnel do not have the required operational capacities and human expertise for explosive ordinance disposal.  Within the framework of the UN-AU partnership in peace and security, the United Nations Office to the African Union (UNOAU) collaborated with the AU Commission in drafting its Counter-Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and Mine Action strategies. Also, under the longstanding UNMAS/African Union training, equipping and mentoring project in Somalia, the African Union Route Search Teams and IED Disposal Teams continue to operate across ATMIS Sectors in Somalia. As a consequence, the African Union troops have been able to mitigate the impact of IEDs that have targeted them in the last year. Additionally, UNMAS has been delivering explosive hazard awareness, vehicle checkpoint and search courses to AU personnel in the past twelve months. These achievements demonstrate the importance of partnerships and cooperation in addressing the challenges posed by explosive threats.

The above achievements can be sustained and further enhanced by mobilizing more political and financial support for mine action. Echoing the United Nations Secretary-General, I wish to also urge all States that have not yet acceded to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons and associated Protocols, and the Convention on Cluster Munitions, to do so. For prevention, protection, and lasting peace, universalization of these treaties is essential, and strict compliance with International Humanitarian Law is critical. For its part, the United Nations will spare no effort in serving the mine action agenda by supporting coordination, cooperation and technical support efforts.

On this International Day for Mine Awareness, let us reaffirm our commitment to eradicating the horrendous damage caused by Explosive Devices and assisting those who have been harmed by their use.  I commend the vital work of the African Union, and hereby reaffirm the United Nation’s commitment to continue collaboration with, and support to, the African Union in mine action efforts.

I thank you for your kind attention.