Key developments
since March 1999: In the 1998-2000 border war between Ethiopia and Eritrea,
it appears that tens of thousands of new mines were laid. Each government has
alleged that the other laid mines, and observers have expressed concern that
both sides may have used mines. While Landmine Monitor cannot verify use by
Eritrea, there are serious, independent reports of use of antipersonnel mines by
Eritrean forces.
Background
In May 1998, Ethiopia and Eritrea went to war over
a disputed border area. The two sides have accused each other of using
landmines, and there are reports that more than 100,000 landmines have been
laid. New use is compounding what was already a difficult landmine problem in
Ethiopia and Eritrea. On 18 June 2000, the two countries signed an Agreement on
Cessation of Hostilities. Article 8 of the agreement obligates both parties to
demine the conflict frontier zone to allow UN peacekeeping forces and
humanitarian agencies safe
access.[1]
Mine Ban Policy
Eritrea has not signed or ratified the Mine Ban
Treaty despite voting in favor of all pro-ban resolutions, including in December
1999, at the UN General Assembly. Eritrea did not attend the First Meeting of
States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty in Maputo in May 1999 and has not
participated in any of the treaty’s intersessional Standing Committee of
Experts meetings. Eritrea is not known to have made any official statements
about the Mine Ban Treaty in 1999 or 2000. Eritrea is not party to the
Convention on Conventional Weapons nor is it a member of the Conference on
Disarmament.
Production, Transfer, Stockpiling
Eritrea is not known to have produced or exported
antipersonnel mines. The Eritrean government claims not to have any
antipersonnel mine stocks,[2]
though such a statement is at odds with Eritrea’s acknowledged use of
mines in the past (leaving aside current allegations).
Use
While it is clear that antipersonnel mines were
used by one or both parties to the recent conflict, Landmine Monitor has not
been able to verify whether or not Eritrean forces are responsible for use of
antipersonnel mines. However, there have been serious, independent reports
(apart from allegations by the government of Ethiopia), as well as other
credible indicators, that Eritrean forces have used antipersonnel mines.
In a February 2000 report regarding Eritrean human rights practices, the U.S.
State Department said, “According to UN officials, [Eritrean] government
forces laid approximately 50,000 to 60,000 landmines in the Badme area during
their 8-month occupation of this disputed
territory.”[3]
In early June 2000, humanitarian sources told the UN Humanitarian Integrated
Regional Information Network (IRIN) that there was much concern that both
countries had mined border areas, and that “it would appear to take some
time before people are confident enough to go back to their homes” in
areas affected by the
conflict.[4]
Western journalists accompanying Ethiopian forces during the final Ethiopian
offensive noted the existing presence of mines, and television images of the
battlefield clearly showed the presence of both antipersonnel and antitank
mines.[5] A journalist who
visited the town of Zala Anbesa on 26 May 2000, the day after Ethiopian troops
took it over from Eritrean forces, reported that the town had been mined and
virtually destroyed by the
Eritreans.[6]
For its part, Ethiopia soon after the start of the border war in May 1998
accused Eritrea of planting landmines in the conflict zone and areas of Ethiopia
controlled by Eritrea, and continued to make allegations throughout the
fighting. The Ethiopian government alleges that Eritrea planted more than
110,000 antipersonnel and antitank mines in the conflict
zone.[7] In late May 2000,
Ethiopia accused Eritrea of planting mines in border towns before losing control
of them to Ethiopian troops.[8]
Landmine Monitor is unaware of a clear denial of use of mines on the part of
the Eritrean government.[9] A
letter sent to the government on 26 June 2000 explicitly requesting confirmation
or denial had not been answered as of the end of July.
Eritrean opposition groups based in Ethiopia also allege that the Eritrean
military has planted antipersonnel mines in Ayuman, Afambo, and
Bada.[10] Authorities in
Somaliland deported Eritrean and Ethiopian nationals suspected of laying mines
on roads that lead from Berbera
Port.[11] It is not possible for
Landmine Monitor to assess the accuracy of such claims.
The U.S. State Department reported in February 2000 that Eritrea has provided
support for armed opposition groups attempting to overthrow the Ethiopian
government. These groups, mostly based in Somalia and Kenya, used landmines
inside Ethiopia in 1999, according to the
U.S.[12]
The Eritrean government alleged to Landmine Monitor in early 2000 that
Ethiopian forces have been using landmines in the disputed
territories,[13] and that the
mines are to a large extent not mapped or
marked.[14] The Eritrean
government in late May and early June 2000 accused Ethiopia of laying mines in
the towns Ethiopian forces were
occupying.[15] In an aide-memoire
dated 17 July 2000 to the OAU and UN, Eritrea said that “Ethiopia has and
continues to plant new mines inside sovereign Eritrean territory, particularly
in the areas which fall within the temporary security
zone.”[16]
The government of Ethiopia denies that it has used antipersonnel landmines in
the conflict with Eritrea or anywhere else since signing the Mine Ban
Treaty.[17]
Landmine Problem
Even before the current Eritrea-Ethiopian war,
Eritrea was heavily mine-affected. As of 1994, around fifty different
antipersonnel and antitank mines from fourteen countries had been identified in
Eritrea.[18] According to
information provided by the National Demining Center to the U.S.,
200,000-250,000 mines and 3 million UXO are present in
Eritrea.[19] Older sources cite
between 500,000 and 1 million
landmines.[20] It is estimated
that more than 5% of Eritrea’s total land area may be
mine-affected.[21] Most of the
mined areas are located in the mainly rural sections of northern, northwestern,
and south provinces of the country.
Landmine accidents usually occur along old trench lines, army garrisons,
farmlands, and water wells.[22]
Areas that had been extensively mined include approaches to villages and towns,
arable and pasture areas, roads, military camps, and bridges. Landmines were
used in some of the most fertile and agriculturally important parts of the
country and have created major problems for agriculture, locust control,
rehabilitation, reconstruction, tourism, and development efforts in the
country.[23]
Mine Action Funding and Mine Clearance
Soon after gaining independence, the Eritrean
government embarked on a mine clearance program. Mine action in Eritrea is the
responsibility of the Demining Project Office at the National Demining
Headquarters in Asmara. The National Demining Headquarters has a command
element, a historical research department, and a demining and training
company,[24] and it has
established project offices and camps in Karen, Asha-Golgol, and
Nakfa.[25] Eritrea has
prioritized its clearance program into the following categories: resettlement of
refugees from the Sudan, transportation infrastructure to get the economy moving
again, and general land use.[26]
According to the National Demining Headquarters, as many as 500,000 landmines
were removed between 1977 and
1994.[27] According to the U.S.
Department of State, “between May 1991 and May 1993, there were
approximately 2,000 landmine incidents, which included civilian casualties and
Eritrean military personnel involved in mine clearance
operations.”[28] However,
Eritrean officials state that since 1996, there have been no incidents involving
Eritrean personnel engaged in humanitarian
demining.[29]
The U.S. is the only international donor to assist Eritrea with demining.
Between 1993 and June of 1998, the U.S. government provided around $8 million to
Eritrea’s mine action program, including training and equipping nearly 400
military deminers. U.S. assistance to the Eritrean demining program was
suspended as of June 1998 due to the outbreak of conflict between Eritrea and
Ethiopia. The program is expected to resume now that hostilities have
terminated. Some $2.3 million is budgeted for fiscal year 2000, to provide
mine-detecting dogs, training in explosive ordnance disposal and mine clearance,
and the purchase of equipment.[30]
Survey and Assessment
There have been no comprehensive nation-wide
surveys of landmine and UXO contamination in Eritrea. UNMAS planned an
assessment mission to Eritrea in 1999, but it was not carried out due to the
upsurge of conflict between Eritrea and
Ethiopia.[31] Eritrea had been
selected for a Level 1 landmines impact survey but this was also deferred due to
the war.
Mine Awareness
The historical research department of the National
Demining Headquarters along with the Department of Social Affairs and Eritrean
War Disabled Fighter’s Association undertakes mine awareness
projects.[32] The mine awareness
efforts are largely carried out with local funding and suffer from a lack of
funds and equipment. There is a general shortage of adequate medical services in
Eritrea, and that tends to limit efforts to provide emergency or rehabilitation
care and planning. There are continuous mine awareness programs run by the
department of social affairs and the Demining Project Office. The funding for
the programs comes primarily from the Eritrean Government, but UNICEF, OXFAM,
and Radda Barnen had provided some support.
The mine awareness education programs involve community-based and in-school
training, education to families, community elders and leaders and rehabilitation
workers. More than 25,000 people throughout Eritrea are believed to have
received mine awareness and prevention training from the Department of Social
Affairs and the National Demining Headquarters. Those that received the training
are estimated to have provided mine awareness education to more than 135,000
other people.[33]
Landmine Casualties
Casualty statistics have not been systematically
kept in Eritrea. The government reported 2,000 incidents between May 1991 and
May 1993. Government officials claim that 50,000-80,000 people have been victims
of landmines in Eritrea since 1973. About 40% of those victims are believed to
be children between the ages of 0-15. UNICEF and the Department of Social
Affairs believe children and adult men working as sheepherders and wool
collectors are the most likely victims of landmines in
Eritrea.[34]
According to the Police Department registry, 137 deaths and 367 landmine
injuries were reported between 1994 and
mid-1999.[35] The police registry
is not exhaustive and may not present a true picture of landmine casualties.
Many victims in rural areas may not be reported at all.
Survivor Assistance
There are few medical and rehabilitation facilities
in Eritrea and the capacity for emergency and post-operative care is severely
limited. There is one doctor per 20,000
persons.[36] Critical cases are
transported to the urban centers and later to the rehabilitation clinics in
Asmara and May Habar.[37]
The treatment and rehabilitation costs for the victims are entirely covered
by the Ministry of Health of the Government of Eritrea. Some financial and
in-kind contributions are provided from private individuals or companies in
Eritrea. The Norwegian Association of the Disabled provided aid for
community-based rehabilitation projects in Eritrea in mid-1990s. There are
currently no other international or non-governmental organizations that provide
the needed medical and other special services to landmine victims in
Eritrea.[38]
The Department of Social Affairs, in the Ministry of Labor and Human Welfare,
has an ongoing community-based rehabilitation program to assist the
rehabilitation and reintegration of victims back into the society by promoting
self-care and sufficiency.[39]
This program has also been helpful in reintegration and resettlement of the
victims, education, and awareness in issues related to handicap, for
contribution/giving back to society and provision of special job or vocational
training to the victims.
There are three prosthetic workshops in Eritrea, located in Asmara, Keren,
and Assab.They produce prosthetic sockets, prosthetic knees and feet,
arm and forearm and crutches. The equipment and training support for this
project was provided by the Italian Government (through the World Health
Organization, the Pharpe program) and Johanitar, a German organization. The
Department of Social Affairs, in cooperation with the World Health Organization,
is planning to build a national physical therapy center in Asmara for landmine
victims and other persons with
disability.[40]
The Landmine Survivors Network is in the process of establishing an amputee
support network in the Eritrea, Zoba Maekel, whose targeted beneficiaries are
going to be landmine survivors and any persons with limb loss. The project will
be conducted under the umbrella of the National Union of Eritrean Youth and
Students.[41]
There is a new draft National Disability Policy of Eritrea that was discussed
at a national conference at the end of 1999. Its implementation is expected to
occur around the end of 2000. In addition to the funds the Eritrean government
provides for medical treatments and health care needs of landmine victims, it
also provides persons with disability continuous pension for living expenses and
vocational training.
[1] Ethiopian and Eritrean foreign ministers
signed the agreement in Algiers, Algeria on 18 June 2000. The President of
Algeria, who holds the Presidency of the OAU for the 2000 cycle, brokered the
agreement. [2] Eritrean Ministry of
Defense, “Answers to a Questionnaire Submitted by Landmine Monitor,”
16 May 2000. In its reply to the questionnaire, Eritrea states that it used
mines in the past “during the armed struggle against the Ethiopian army.
All the mines used were captured from the enemy. Almost all types of mines were
Soviet and U.S. origin like PMN, POMZ-2, MON-100, MON-200, M16, M14 and M3,
etc.” It states that Eritrea has never imported AP
mines. [3] U.S. Department of State,
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, “1999 Country Reports on
Human Rights Practices -- Eritrea,” 25 February 2000, p.
3. [4] United Nations, IRIN News Briefs,
“Ethiopia: Landmine Deaths in Irob,” 8 June
2000. [5] BBC World television broadcasts
in Europe viewed by Landmine Monitor researchers of the Ethiopian offensive
during the period 13-17 May 2000 also clearly showed antipersonnel mines and
antitank mines stockpiled at fighting
positions. [6] “Ethiopia says
Eritrea laid 7,000 mines in and around border town,” AFP, Addis Ababa, 6
June 2000. [7] For example see: Ethiopian
Government Spokesperson, “Total Victory for Operation Sunset,”
Ethiopian News Service, Addis Ababa, 28 February 1999; Professor Addis Birhan,
“Mine Eritrea’s Minefields,” Wata Information Service, 6 March
1999; Statement of Dr. Waktasu Negeri to the FMSP, Maputo, 3 May 1999; Embassy
of Ethiopia, Washington, DC, “30,375 Landmines Planted in Eritrea in
Northern Ethiopia Demined,” 25 May 1999; Embassy of Ethiopia, Washington,
DC, “Eritrean Landmines Pose Great Danger to Ethiopian Civilians,”
23 November 1999; BBC News Online, “De-Mining in the Horn,” 19 July
2000. [8] “Ethiopia says Eritrea
laid 7,000 mines in and around border town,” AFP, Addis Ababa, 6 June
2000. [9] In the Ministry of
Defense’s response to the LM questionnaire, dated 16 May 2000, the
question “Is Eritrea currently using antipersonnel mines?” was left
blank, while the question regarding past use was answered in the
affirmative. [10] Radio Voice of Red Sea
Afars, “Eritrea Still Planting Mines on Ethiopian Border,” BBC
Worldwide Monitoring, 28 March 2000. [11]
Ayaamaha (Somali Newspaper), “Somaililand Authorities Reportedly Deport
Eritreans, Ethiopians over Land Mines,” BBC Worldwide Monitoring, 29 March
2000. [12] U.S. State Department, 1999
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Ethiopia, 25 February 2000, p.
4. [13] Interviews with Ato Abraham
Yohannes, Embassy of Eritrea, Washington, DC, 28 January 2000 and 8 February
2000. [14] Interview with Eritrean
National Demining Headquarters official, Asmara, January
2000. [15] IRIN-CEA, “Civilians
returning slowly to Mined Town,” 2 June 2000; “Eritreans Assess
Damage in Barentu,” BBC World (Africa), 2 June 2000; Ann M. Simmons,
“Destruction, Danger Await Eritrean Returnees,” The Times, 2 June
2000; Patrick Graham, “Eritreans Don’t Think the War is Over,”
National Post, 4 June 2000; “Eritrean Town Looted by Retreating Ethiopian
Army,” Reuters, 2 June 2000; “Ethiopian Forces Reported Still in
West Eritrea,” IRIN News Briefs, 31 May
2000. [16] The aide-memoire was
subsequently provided the UN Security Council and circulated as UN Security
Council document S/2000/726, 21 July 2000. See also, “Eritrea Complains
Ethiopia Violates Peace Pact,” Reuters, United Nations, 24 July
2000. [17] For a recent denial, see:
“Ethiopia: 40,000 landmines removed from central front,” Ethiopian
Television, Addis Ababa, in Amharic, BBC Monitoring, 20 June
2000. [18] For a complete list of
landmines found in Eritrea, see Landmine Monitor Report 1999, pp.
197-198. [19] U.S. Central Command,
“U.S. Government Humanitarian Demining Country Plan for Eritrea
(Conditional, FY 2001 & 2002),” 23 February
2000. [20] U.S. Department of State,
Hidden Killers, September 1998, p. 25; UNA-USA, “A Report on Landmine
Clearance in Africa,” the Eighth Annual Citizen’s Inspection Tour,
25 April to 2 May 1998, p. 20. [21]
Naizghi Ghebremedhin, “Reconstruction and Development following Armed
Conflicts,” Environment and Security, vol. 1, no. 2.,
1997. [22] Eritrean Ministry of Defense,
“Answers to a Questionnaire Submitted by Landmine Monitor,” 16 May
2000. [23] List compiled from interview
with Eritrean Relief and Rehabilitation Commission, Asmara, 14 January 2000;
Kurt Hanevik, “Landmine injuries in Eritrea,” at
http://www.uib.no/People/mfakh/LM/Lmsocio.html; Naizghi Ghebremedhin,
“Reconstruction and Development following Armed Conflicts,”
Environment and Security, vol. 1, no. 2., 1997; Andeberhan W. Ghiorghis,
“The Human and Ecological Consequences of War in Eritrea,” Conflicts
in the Horn of Africa: Human and Ecological Consequences of Warfare, Terje Tvedt
(Ed.), Uppsala University (Sweden),
1993. [24] U.S. Department of State,
Hidden Killers, 1998, p. 27. [25]
Interviews with National Demining Headquarters official, Asmara, 23 December
1999, 7 January 2000, 10 January 2000, 14 January
2000. [26]
Ibid. [27] Ibid; Eritrean Ministry of
Defense, “Answers to a Questionnaire Submitted by Landmine Monitor,”
16 May 2000. [28] U.S. Department of
State, Hidden Killers, September 1998,
p.27. [29] Interviews with National
Demining Headquarters official, Asmara, 23 December 1999, 7 January 2000, 10
January 2000, 14 January 2000. [30] U.S.
Department of State, FY 00 NADR Project Status, p. 2; U.S. Central Command,
“U.S. Government Humanitarian Demining Country Plan for Eritrea
(Conditional, FY 2001 & 2002),” 23 February, 2000; Human Rights Watch,
“Clinton’s Landmine Legacy,” July 2000, pp.
33-34. [31] Interview with UNMAS official,
The Hague, Netherlands, 17 May 2000. [32]
Interviews with personnel from the Demining Project Office, Department of Social
Affairs, 12 January 2000, 14 January 2000; Interviews with official of the
Eritrean War Disabled Fighter’s Association, Asmara, 27 December 1999, 11
January 2000. [33] Interview with National
Demining Headquarters official, 7 January 2000. Asmara, Eritrea and Interview
with Department of Social Affairs official, Asmara, 12 January 2000, 14 January
2000. [34] UNICEF, “Landmine
Education and Awareness Support in Eritrea – a proposal for
funding,” 1996. [35] Eritrean Police
Department, “National Accidents Report 1999,” undated, provided to
Landmine Monitor by National Demining
Headquarters. [36] Interview with
personnel from the Department of Social Affairs, Asmara, 12 January 2000, 14
January 2000. [37]
Ibid. [38] Interview with personnel from
the Eritrean Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (ERREC) and War Disabled
Association of Eritrea, 11 January
2000. [39] Ibid.; Interview with
Department of Social Affairs officer, Asmara, 12 January 2000, 14 January
2000. [40] Interview with Sue Eitel,
Landmine Survivors Network, The Hague, Netherlands, 17 May
2000. [41] Ibid.
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