The situation in Somalia
with respect to landmines is essentially unchanged since Landmine Monitor
Report 1999. The reader is referred to that report for historical
background, description of the landmine problem, and ban policies of various
factions. There are still no mine clearance, mine awareness or victim
assistance programs in Somalia.
As was the case last year, there have been ongoing, albeit unclear and
undetailed, reports of use of mines. In 1999, there were allegations that new
landmines had been laid along the Kenyan border with Somalia as a result of two
factions fighting for control of the port city of Kismayo. There were also
reports of use of mines by rogue militia involved in illegal activities such as
smuggling along the border. Somali warlord Hussein Mohamed Aideed has claimed
that Ethiopian troops occupying some parts of southern Somalia have used
landmines.[1]
In May 1999 local elders in the Galgaduud and Mudug regions of central
Somalia showed reporters documents to prove they had filed a detailed demining
project proposal and made repeated requests for assistance with demining in
central Somalia since 1993, most recently in a letter to UNDP Somalia in
September 1998. The UNDP’s Nairobi-based Somali Civil Protection Program
Manager was reported as stating that one reason no work had been done is that
there is “no functioning administration or recognised authority to work
with,” but he also complained of lack of funds for demining
work.[2]
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