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Key developments since August 2001: Botswana submitted its first Article 7 transparency report, officially declaring that it does not have a stockpile of antipersonnel mines, except for training purposes.
Botswana signed the Mine Ban Treaty on 3 December 1997 and ratified it on 1 March 2000. The treaty entered into force for Botswana on 1 September 2000.
In its report last year, Landmine Monitor noted that instructions had been given to the Attorney General’s Chambers to prepare domestic implementation legislation and assistance in incorporating the provisions of the treaty into domestic law had been sought from the Zimbabwe office of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).[1] No progress has been made as of July 2002. The ICRC “continues to assist the Government in the march towards paving a smooth implementation of International Humanitarian Law into our domestic legislation.”[2]
Botswana submitted its first Article 7 Report on 28 September 2001. It had been due on 28 February 2001. In this four-paragraph report, the government stated, “Botswana joins the International Community in deploring the irreparable harm that landmines inflict on populations. Botswana is therefore committed to the Convention ... and to the full implementation of its provisions. It will in this regard continue to actively participate in international efforts aimed at the complete eradication of these weapons.”[3]
Botswana did not attend the First, Second, or Third Meetings of States Parties. It participated in its first intersessional Standing Committee meetings in January 2002, though it did not attend in May 2002.[4] An official has indicated that the reason for Botswana’s non-attendance at international landmine meetings has simply been because it is not mine-affected.[5] Botswana cosponsored and voted in favor of UNGA Resolution 56/24M on 29 November 2001, calling for universalization of the Mine Ban Treaty.
Botswana is not a State Party to the Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW). It did not attend the third annual meeting of States Parties to Amended Protocol II of the CCW, or the Second CCW Review Conference, both of which were held in Geneva in December 2001.
Botswana has never produced or exported antipersonnel landmines.[6] Botswana Defense Force (BDF) officials state that the military has never laid any landmines in Botswana or in any other country.[7]
According to its Article 7 Report, “The Country does not have a stockpile of mines but maintains a small quantity for training purposes.” Details on numbers and types are not provided, though are required by Article 7. The Botswana Defense Force has said it has a small number of inert mines for training purposes, including seven inert antipersonnel directional mines and three antivehicle mines.[8] Botswana states that it needs the training mines “because in the past the Botswana Defense Force soldiers have been deployed to mine-infested countries on peace keeping assignments. Therefore there is need for the soldiers to be trained in handling landmines.”[9]
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[1] Interview with Ms. Tshenolo Modise, Deputy Director, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Botswana, 2 March 2001; interview with Ms. Daphne Matlaka, Deputy Attorney General, Gaborone, 26 February 2001.
[2] Presentation to the Southern African Regional Seminar on International Humanitarian Law, Pretoria, South Africa, 21-23 May 2002.
[3] Article 7 Report, submitted on 28 September 2001. There are no dates noted for the reporting period.
[4] It was represented by the Second Secretary of the Permanent Mission of Botswana to the United Nations in Geneva.
[5] Interview with Mr. Sanoto, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Office of the President, Botswana, 6 February 2001.
[6] Article 7 Report, 28 September 2001.
[7] Ibid.; interview with Colonel Tjatanga Moloi, Botswana Defense Force, Gaborone, 2 March 2001.
[8] Interview with Colonel Tjatanga Moloi, Botswana Defense Force, Gaborone, 2 March 2001.
[9] Article 7 Report, 28 September 2001.
