THE Japanese government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have pledged US$3.4 million towards the removal of anti-personnel landmines planted by Rhodesian Forces during the liberation struggle in Zimbabwe.
For decades, Zimbabwe has battled landmine contamination, particularly in border-lying areas, threatening the lives of both humans and animals.
However, working together with progressive nations and organisations, the nation has managed to clear 96 percent of infested land, with only 12 kilometres remaining.
This Friday, the nation received another major boost from the Japanese government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) towards the initiative.
“Japan is a steadfast partner in promoting peace and human security across the globe, and holds the Presidency of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention this year. We are proud to support Zimbabwe in its journey to become a landmine-free nation. Furthermore, this project contributes to the rehabilitation of mine-cleared land as farmland, and to the improvement of livelihoods of smallholder farmers through the Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion (SHEP) approach. This project is about restoring hope and enabling development more than it is about just removing the deadly remnants of war. Through this assistance, we reaffirm our friendship and solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe,” Japanese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, His Excellency Mr Shinichi Yamanaka said.
UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, Mr Lealem Berhanu Dinku commended Zimbabwe’s unwavering commitment to landmine clearance under the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention.
“We would sincerely like to commend Zimbabwe’s bold commitments towards clearing landmines and unexploded ordnance under the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, and significant progress in mines clearance,” he said.
“However, it is most likely that the country might not meet the set 2025 deadline due to structural gaps and resource constraints, hence the extension to 2030. These persistent challenges directly undermine the country’s ambitions under NDS1 as well as under NDS2, which aims to strengthen human security, resilience, and equitable access to development opportunities, particularly in underserved areas.”
In her acceptance remarks, the Minister of Defence, Honourable Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri expressed Zimbabwe’s gratitude for the support, noting that the funding will go a long way in accelerating the country’s efforts to achieve a landmine-free environment.
“At independence in 1980, Zimbabwe inherited about three million anti-personnel mines, earning the country an unenviable record of being one of the most densely mined countries in the world. Eight distinct minefields with a cumulative linear distance of approximately 850km were infected. Upon the attainment of independence, the government embarked on a mine action programme, encompassing mine clearance, mine risk education, victim assistance, advocacy and stockpile destruction. To demonstrate its seriousness, Zimbabwe ratified the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Treaty in 1997. At that time, when only 10% of the country’s mine fields had been cleared,” she said.
The landmines were planted by the brutal Rhodesian regime during Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle, as a desperate tactic to contain the growing pressure from determined freedom fighters.
