Tanzania Committed to Reduction of its Stockpile

(Thursday 03 April 2003 )

On 28th March 2003, Tanzania made good its commitment to the Mine Ban Treaty, of which it is a State Party, by destroying a huge chunk of its stockpile of antipersonnel mine.

Almost 10,000 mines were eliminated in the exercise which was widely publicized and received a lot of media attention. The event heralded a new era of thinking, where military activities are no longer shrouded in mystery.

The National Radio aired many programs prior to the exercise, designed to inform and sensitize the local people on the event and its importance to their safety and security. Landmine Monitor was present to witness the event that drew a large audience drawn from both national and international agencies working for peace and security.

Tanzania is not stopping there. They have already issued the notice and schedules for three subsequent “Destruction of Stockpiles” events. Tanzania is committed to retaining only a small number of stockpile for training purposes and the Poopo Rat Project. They have promised to start the process of domesticating the Mine Ban Treaty.

The publicity elicited by this “Stockpile Destruction” event will go a long way in creating public awareness on the country’s commitment to the Mine Ban Treaty, easing the Domestication process.

The step Tanzania has taken is definitely in the right direction towards a Mine Free World!