Although Burkina Faso is not and has never been
mine-affected, it has played a vocal role in international efforts to ban
antipersonnel landmines. Since October 1996, the Burkinabè government
has been actively involved in the Ottawa Process. Burkina Faso attended all the
major meetings including the October 1996 strategy conference in Ottawa where
the process was launched, the Maputo Fourth International NGO Conference where
the government delivered a statement, the Brussels Meeting where it signed the
declaration and the Oslo treaty negotiations, taking the firm stand for a total
ban on landmines all the way through.
There is no ambiguity in the position of the Burkinabè government
regarding antipersonnel mines. Burkina Faso first called for a comprehensive
ban on landmines at the 50th UN General Assembly in October
1995.[1] Indeed, in all regional
and international fora (OAU, UN, Franco-African Summit of heads of state)
Burkinabè representatives supported resolutions calling for a global ban
on antipersonnel mines. Burkina Faso voted in favour of all the relevant UN
General Assembly resolutions in 1996, 1997 and 1998. At the Inter-African NGO
Seminar on Landmines parallel to the OAU summit in Ouagadougou in June 1998,
Mahahama Savadogo, representing Burkina’s Minister of Foreign Affairs
Ablassé Ouédraogo, spelled out clearly the government's reasoning:
"To forestall the devastating effects of the antipersonnel mine disaster, there
is an urgent need to intensify the campaign for the immediate coming into force
of the Convention."[2]
On 3 December 1997 in Ottawa, Burkina Faso’s Foreign Minister Ouedrago
signed the Mine Ban Treaty and declared that "Burkina Faso confirms its
commitment to the participation in the eradication of landmines at all levels.
Within the framework of this participation, Burkina Faso will assume all the
responsibilities of a member
state."[3]
Under the law number 035/98/AN, dated 29 July 1998, the Burkinabè
national assembly authorised the government to ratify the Convention; and under
Act No. 24/DGAPJC/AJC/STAI of 15 September 1998, President Blaise
Compaoré, ratified it. The instruments of ratification were deposited on
16 September 1998 at the United Nations, making Burkina Faso the fortieth
ratification and thus allowing the Mine Ban Treaty to enter into force on 1
March 1999, in accordance with article 17.
Although the ratification instruments are in compliance with the
Burkinabè constitution in both content and form, the law merely
authorises ratification. The government has not yet adopted any national
implementation measures as required by Article 9 of the ban treaty. According
to sources in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, such implementation legislation
is not necessary because Burkina Faso has never produced, stockpiled, or used
landmines.[4] Burkina Faso is also
not yet a party to the Convention on Conventional Weapons nor its amended
Protocol.
After participating in the October 1996 Ottawa Conference, the UIDH
(Inter-African Union of Human Rights) pursued a vigorous plan of sensibilisation
and mobilisation in Burkina Faso and throughout the African continent, in
collaboration with the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL). Among
other things, this joint effort resulted in the Inter-African Conference of
NGOs, held in Ouagadougou on 3-5 June 1998. Bringing together over 100
participants, including representatives from eighteen African and eight
international NGOs, the conference culminated in a final declaration which
clearly articulated a comprehensive plan of action for the African continent in
the efforts to implement the ban on antipersonnel mines.
The birth of the Burkinabé National Campaign on 23 May 1998, was a
direct result of the program undertaken by UIDH and MBDHP (Mouvement
Burkinabé des droits de l'Homme et de peuple) at local level. It
encompassing a diverse range of NGOs including trade unions, women's
organisations, human rights organisations, and lawyer's
associations.[5]
Burkina Faso is not known to have ever produced or exported AP mines. At a
meeting of the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs and Defence Commission
in July 1998, Defence Minister Albert Millogo, in response to questions asked by
deputies, stated unequivocally that Burkina Faso had never used or stockpiled
antipersonnel mines.[6] According
to the Minister, Burkina Faso’s armed forces possess only inactive mines
for military training purposes but their number and types are unavailable at
this time.
Despite two border disputes with Mali (in 1974 and 1985), no mine incidents
have been recorded in the country and it seems that no antipersonnel mines were
laid at that time. Interviews with various members of the army and with
Commander Haarouna Ouedraogo, a Defence cabinet member, corroborate the Defence
Minister's statements, and reveal also that the army has never laid mines beyond
its borders.[7]
[1]UN General Assembly resolution
50/74, 12 December 1995.
[2]Speech delivered at the
Inter-African Seminar on APM, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, 3 June 1998.
[3]His Excellency Ablassé
Ouédraogo, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Statement to Signing Ceremony,
Ottawa, 3 December 1997.
[4]Name withheld at the request
of the interviewed official.
[5]The Burkinabè Movement
for Human and Peoples’ Rights (MBDHP), the Survey and Research Group on
Democracy and Economic and Social development (GERDDES), the Aimé
Nikkiema Foundation for Human Rights (FANIDHO), the Coalition of Women’s
Associations in Burkina Faso (COA/FEB), the Free Trade Union of Magistrates in
Burkina Faso (SAMAB), the Association for the Promotion of Disabled Women
(APFH), the BurkinabèTrade Union Confederation (CSB), and others.
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