Mine Action in Sudan

Sudan is the largest and one of the most diverse countries in Africa.  Approx. 2, 5 million sq km.  Population approx. 35 million (2005). Population composition: indigenous tribal groups 52%, Arab 39%, Beja 6% and others 3%.   

Cause and scope of the landmine problem
Sudan has suffered from the effects of a brutal civil war which has spanned a 50 year period since independence in 1956. Over 21 years of civil war between the mainly Muslim north and the Animist and Christian south has created a considerable problem with landmines and UXOs in Sudan. Some 4 million people have been displaced and some 2 million people have been killed. A Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) between the North and the South was signed on 09 January 2005. This agreement outlines a roadmap for a self-determination referendum for the South in 2011. The CPA is however fragile and has been in constant jeopardy.

The mine threat is found in a number of the regions in Sudan. The highest contamination (excluding border areas with Egypt in the North) is found in South Sudan. The states of Eastern and Central Equatoria (bordering Kenya and Uganda) have been found to have the highest level of contamination. The UXO threat is just as significant as the mine threat. The United Nations Mine Action Programme (UNMAP) reported 92 casualties in 2006 (representing a 34% increase compared to 2005).

The initial focus of work in Sudan was the survey and clearance of roads that had become inaccessible because of the perceived or real mine threat.  The bulk of this work is now complete so the emphasis is switching towards the release of land for agriculture, return and resettlement programmes, and infrastructure projects.

NPA history in country
Since 1986, NPA has been the international organisation most consistently working in Southern Sudan. NPA has mainly worked within the four areas: food security, health care, development of local communities, and various training programmes for the local population.
Peace negotiations between the SPLA and the government of Sudan started to bear fruits in the summer of 2002, with the signing of the Machakos protocol in July 2002. There has been a de facto cease-fire in the South since the end of 2002. Given the favourable circumstances with a sustainable peace in sight, NPA decided to establish a mine action programme in South Sudan in March 2004. Initial priorities were to train national staff, and to start opening up transportation routes for the delivery of humanitarian aid.

Capacity
NPA has established the mine action programme in Yei in the province Western Equatoria. International staff has recruited and trained approximately 250 local Sudanese staff in different positions in the programme. The programme now consists of 4 manual demining teams (of which one is a female only team), 2 survey teams, one battle area clearance team (BAC), one rapid response team (EOD), and one mechanical team with a MineWolf flail/tiller machine.
The first operations were conducted in the area around Yei, while the programme currently is working on tasks along/on the key road between Yei and the capital Juba.

Donors
The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, United States Department of State, the German Federal Foreign Office
and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Links

Landmine Monitor Report for Sudan: http://www.icbl.org/lm/2007/sudan

MineWolf systems: www.minewolf.de

IRIN web special on the on the Sudan Peace Process: http://www.irinnews.org/webspecials/sudan