Africa without anti-personnel mines
Between 1956 and 1959, the French army planted 11 million mines along the 'Challe and Morris' lines which stretch across Algeria's eastern and western borders, made up of electrified barbed wire and anti-personnel minefields.
In order to deal with this poisonous legacy left by French colonialism during the Algerian liberation revolution, which represents a real danger for the security of the population and the environment, Algeria accelerated the demining process in two periods (1963-1988 and 2004-2017). These large-scale operations made it possible to destroy 9 million mines and reconquer 62,000 hectares of land. In 2017, the process of demining and destroying antipersonnel mines inherited from the colonial era was officially completed by the National People's Army.
As a reminder, wars usually end in fighting, but landmines kill and maim long afterward. To this end, the international community adopted in 1997 the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use and Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and Their Destruction, but major challenges remain, including the clearance of these mines and the alleviation of the suffering of these victims and injured. In this context, Africa is the continent most affected by antipersonnel mines. There are 28 countries affected with varying degrees of severity.
The Ministry of Mujahideen and Rights Holders, in coordination with the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Community Abroad, is organizing an international forum entitled 'For a peaceful Africa, Algeria is a pioneering experience in its fight against mines.' May 30 and 31, 2023 at the International Conference Center - Abdellatif Rahal - Algeria, with the participation of African countries parties to the Ottawa Convention.
Through this seminar, the participating African countries parties to the Ottawa Convention will benefit from Algeria's pioneering experience in the fight against anti-personnel mines, which was carried out successfully.
In order to deal with this poisonous legacy left by French colonialism during the Algerian liberation revolution, which represents a real danger for the security of the population and the environment, Algeria accelerated the demining process in two periods (1963-1988 and 2004-2017). These large-scale operations made it possible to destroy 9 million mines and reconquer 62,000 hectares of land. In 2017, the process of demining and destroying antipersonnel mines inherited from the colonial era was officially completed by the National People's Army.
As a reminder, wars usually end in fighting, but landmines kill and maim long afterward. To this end, the international community adopted in 1997 the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use and Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and Their Destruction, but major challenges remain, including the clearance of these mines and the alleviation of the suffering of these victims and injured. In this context, Africa is the continent most affected by antipersonnel mines. There are 28 countries affected with varying degrees of severity.
The Ministry of Mujahideen and Rights Holders, in coordination with the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Community Abroad, is organizing an international forum entitled 'For a peaceful Africa, Algeria is a pioneering experience in its fight against mines.' May 30 and 31, 2023 at the International Conference Center - Abdellatif Rahal - Algeria, with the participation of African countries parties to the Ottawa Convention.
Through this seminar, the participating African countries parties to the Ottawa Convention will benefit from Algeria's pioneering experience in the fight against anti-personnel mines, which was carried out successfully.