Author(s):
Kjell Knudsen <webmaster@icbl.org> .
Maputo, Mozambique,
Friday 19 November 2004
The global launch of the ICBL’s sixth edition of the Landmine Monitor Report 2004, with a focus on mine action, took place on 17 November, in Maputo five years after the First Meeting of States Parties was held in Mozambique under the Presidency of Foreign Minister Dr. Leonardo Santos Simao and ten days before the opening of the ever important “Nairobi Summit on a Mine-Free World”. The Landmine Monitor launch took place during the first-ever “Demining Week” in Mozambique which is being held from 15-20 November.
Holding the global launch on LM mine action findings in Africa was important and had great symbolism in that it took place on the most mine affected continent in the world. Among Africa’s more than 50 nations, 28 countries plus two areas, are mine-affected with a total population of over 490 million people.
The LM launch was organized and coordinated by Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) in cooperation with Handicap International. A long report aired on national television and a forward-looking interview with Sara Sekkenes (NPA) as published. The fact that this launch received such wide coverage just weeks before Presidential elections in Mozambique is remarkable.
The Landmine Monitor launch was hosted by the National Demining Institute (IND) at the Franco-MozambicanCulturalCenter. Approximately 300 persons attended including the Foreign Minister, mine action operators, the diplomatic community, international organizations and a large number of media representatives. The launch was part of a full morning of events with all mine action operators having prepared exhibits about their work.
The panel at the Landmine Monitor launch in Maputo, Mozambique.
Left to right: Marielle Hallez, Sara Sekkenes, Aderito Ismael and Susan Walker.
Dr. Gamiliel Munguambe, Director of IND, introduced the purpose of the Landmine Monitor launch and the panel. Speakers incluced Susan B. Walker (ICBL’s Intersessional Programme Officer) , who gave an overview on the Landmine Monitor, Marielle Hallez , (Landmine Monitor’s Africa’s Coordinator) , presenting the global mine action findings, Sara Sekkenes, presented the Mozambique mine action findings in Portuguese together with Aderito Ismael (Mine Action Programme Manager of Handicap International) .
Following the presentations, Mr. Ghana Fofang, UNDP Regional Representative, responded on behalf of the international community in Mozambique stating, “The Landmine Monitor is a testament to the strength of NGOs to ensure that governments, the international community stays on track and keeps its commitments, so it meets its obligations.” He closed by saying, “From the perspective of the international community I assure you we will work with the Mozambican government and civil society, the NGOs, IOs and all to ensure that one day we will have a Mine-Free Mozambique.
The Foreign Minister, Dr. Leonardo Santos Simao, then gave closing remarks saying it was “ an honor and a privilege for the people and Government of Mozambique that the organizers chose our capital as one of the three world capitals for the simultaneous launch” of LM 2004. He then highlighted the achievements of the Mine Action Programme in Mozambique and concluded by saying, “These achievements must encourage us to continue with our joint efforts because much still remains to be done. The mine problem in Mozambique has still not been resolved.”
The entire Landmine Monitor launch was followed by a 15-minute press conference, attended by about 20 local and international journalists. The media directed detailed questions on mine action, MRE and victim assistance to the Foreign Minister, who reiterated the government’s commitment to doing their utmost to meet their 2009 deadline.
The Demining Week began with a public forum on “Mine Action and Human Development” on Monday, attended by 250 people. It was chaired by Graca Machel, former First Lady of Mozambique, with opening remarks made by the Foreign Minister followed by panel presentations by Mr. Munguambe, IND, several Mozambican Ministry representatives and the UNDP Resident Representative followed by a lively discussion. Graca Machel recognized and thanked the humanitarian deminers for their contributions. This was the first time such a multi-sectoral discussion on mine action had been held in Mozambique and UNDP suggested that such meetings continue in the future. A field visit to a demining site was made on 18 November by many of the participants.
The major success of the Landmine Monitor 2004 launch and the Demining week focusing on mine action and Article 5, is that the 2009 deadline is now clearly the focus, which it had not been prior to this week. The National Plan for 2002-2006 did not take the deadline into account, saying that ten years would be needed to be only mine-impact free (i.e. 2012). Both the Foreign Minister and the Director of IND reiterated several times during the week that, “The goal is a mine-free Mozambique by 2009.”
