LM Report 2001

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SOMALIA

Key developments since May 2000: According to UNDP Somalia, as of July 2001, a Puntland Mine Action Center was being established and a Mogadishu Mine Action Center will be established in September 2001. UNDP Somalia indicates demining in Somalia can begin in October 2001. The Survey Action Center carried out an Advance Survey Mission in March 2001. Agreement of government authorities has been obtained to conduct a Landmine Impact Survey. In 2000, in two regions of central Somalia, there were 147 mine casualties.

Mine Ban Policy

The Transitional National Government (TNG) was established in Mogadishu in 2000. According to the UN Development Program/Somali Civil Protection Program’s (UNDP/SCPP’s) Somali Mine Action Center (SMAC), the Transitional National Government is working on legislation to accede to the treaty.^[1] UNDP Somalia reports that newly established mine action offices in Mogadishu and Baidoa “will be utilized continuously to advocate the implementation of the Ottawa Treaty among those factions still employing mines.”^[2]

Northwest Somalia proclaimed an independent Somaliland in 1991 in the five northern regions. Information on the landmine situation in the self-declared Republic of Somaliland can be found in a separate Landmine Monitor report.

In 1998, northeast Somalia established an autonomous regional administration, Puntland. The President of the self-proclaimed independent northeastern region of Puntland issued a decree on 11 November 2000 banning the use of antipersonnel landmines. According to SMAC, the presidential order has been forwarded to the Puntland regional parliament to enact it into law.^[3] The Puntland Development Research Center, with assistance from the Somali Mine Action Center, organized an Advocacy Workshop on Antipersonnel Landmine Policy, from 8-9 November 2000.

Use

Landmines apparently continue to be used during the fighting among the many warlords and soldiers of the TNG. Landmines are found on the perimeters of military installations, on important access routes and in urban areas.^[4] According to the US Department of State, “Landmines laid by different groups, particularly the RRA [Rahanweyn Resistance Army] and possibly the SNA, caused several deaths and injuries during the year [2000].”^[5] There are minefields separating the RRA and the militias of the TNG, and separating Sudi Yalahow and the TNG.

In July 2001, it was reported that Somali camel herders were using landmines to try to stop the widespread cutting of trees for charcoal for export; the trees are the source of food for the nomads.^[6]

According to the UN, “stockpiles of mines remain (primarily in private hands) and the Somali authorities have requested assistance in addressing this situation.”^[7]

Landmine Problem

Somalia has a serious landmine and unexploded ordnance (UXO) problem stemming from several conflicts (See Landmine Monitor Report 1999, pp. 205-207 for details). According to the UN, the presence of mines – “real or perceived” – has been largely responsible in preventing the return of approximately 200,000 refugees from Djibouti and Ethiopia.^[8]

According to the UN, “A major problem is that the location and extent of mined areas is largely unknown, and therefore the magnitude of the problem to be contained has not been determined.”^[9] While limited surveys have been conducted in the past and some mine clearance is underway, it views the results of actions as “inadequate for use as a base for future mine action planning.”^[10]

Agreement of government authorities has been obtained to conduct a full Landmine Impact Survey and in March 2001 the Survey Action Center carried out an Advance Survey Mission. A project proposal has been developed, and SAC plans to begin the survey in late 2001 in Somaliland and in other regions of Somalia, depending on funding.^[11]

Mine Action

According to the UN, the geographical scope of mine action “expanded exponentially in Somalia in 2000 with a corresponding need for implementation of activities.”^[12] Until 2000, most mine action activities had focused on Somaliland. In 2000, the Somali Mine Action Center, which had been operating mainly from Somaliland, established offices in Garowe (Puntland) and Mogadishu.^[13]

The current annual budget for mine clearance in Somalia, including Somaliland, is approximately $4.5 million, funded by the US, EU, Denmark and Germany.^[14] Expansion of UNDP Somali Mine Action Programme from Somaliland to the rest of Somalia could potentially increase funding for demining to $10.5 million per year.^[15]

The Somalia Mine Action Programme’s budget as put forward by the requesting agency, UNDP, seeks $9.83 million for 2001 (year one of the program) and $5.86 million had been received as of April 2001.^[16] For 2002, (year two) $11.24 million is sought while the budget for 2003 is $10.86 million.

UNICEF sought $300,000 for mine awareness activities in affected areas of Somalia in 2001, including an impact assessment and support of community-based rehabilitation programs.^[17] In 2001, the World Health Organization (WHO) sought $303,970 in funds for activities from June 2001 to June 2002, including assistance and support to mine victims.^[18] As of April 2001 neither proposal had received any funding. SAC is seeking funding for the proposed Landmine Impact Survey.

UNDP Somalia is negotiating $1.275 million in funds from the EU to cover capacity building and survey activities in northeast Somalia for 2002.^[19]

According to UNDP Somalia, following consultations in northeast Somalia, the Department of Demining, Demobilization and Reintegration was established as UNDP Somalia’s mine action counterpart.^[20] As of July 2001, the Puntland Mine Action Center (PMAC) was being established, with technical and logistic support provided by UNDP Somalia in order to “make all of its components operational by September 2001.”^[21] A Regional Mines Office (RMO) will be established in Mudag region by September 2001.^[22]

In January 2001, the UK-based Mines Advisory Group conducted a one-week Operational Assessment in Puntland and has since been awarded a contract by UNOPS to conduct capacity building and training in Explosive Ordnance Disposal for the Puntland police force. This is expected to occur over a six-month period starting in the second half of 2001.^[23]

According to UNDP Somalia, demining in Somalia can commence in October 2001.^[24] SMAC plans to establish and train one quality management team each in northeast Somalia by September 2001 and in Mogadishu by December 2001.^[25]

As of July 2001, the TNG was reviewing a draft mine action policy and work plan to implement the Mine Ban Treaty provided by UNDP Somalia.^[26] Mine action policy rests with the Office of the Prime Minister of the TNG.^[27] According to UNDP Somalia, “a Mogadishu Mine Action Center (MMAC) will be established by September 2001 and sub-contracted to the TNG by December 2001. Mine Action Information offices will be established in Baidoa and with the opposing factions in Mogadishu around the same time. The Baidoa Mine Action Centre can be established as soon as mining ceases in the region.”^[28]

The 22 national staff of the SMAC have been trained “to execute their responsibilities with very little supervision,” while eleven PMAC staff were undergoing demining and management training.^[29]

According to the UN, “It is envisaged that, given projected levels of funding and clearance, 80% of the mines and UXO threat in Somalia will be neutralized in 7 to 10 years time.”^[30] Once the mine action programme is completed UNDP Somalia aims to put police EOD teams in place in all regions, to deal with the residual mines and UXO threat.

Mine Awareness

UNDP Somalia completed a mine awareness programme in Somali refugee camps in Djibouti, in cooperation with UNICEF, UNHCR, WFP and Handicap International.^[31] It now intends to extend the project to Somali refugee camps in Ethiopia and to communities inside Somalia, in cooperation with the abovementioned partners.

Landmine Casualties and Survivor Assistance

Landmine incidents continue, albeit often unreported. According to the US Department of State, reporting on events in 2000, “On January 20 in the Hiran region, a landmine exploded, killing at least six persons. On January 30 in the Hiran region, landmines and gun battles killed 21 persons. On January 30 near El Ali, five escorts of a food convoy were killed when their vehicle hit a mine. Also on January 30, an aid convoy hit a landmine while crossing the Shabelle River for the Bakool Region. The Abgal clan reportedly planted the landmine; 10 persons were killed and 8 others injured. On February 5, landmines destroyed three ‘technicals,’ combat vehicles, belonging to the Islamic Court militias near the village of Buulo Warbo, west of Qoryoley, Lower Shabelle. The explosions killed three persons and injured five others.”^[32]

In July 2001, it was reported that three people lost their legs and a baby girl was killed in a mine incident, on the road between Kismayo and Mogadishu.^[33]

In northeast Somalia, according to the director of Garowe Hospital, Dr. Mohammed Hussein Arabi, since the end of the conflict, trauma cases have fallen considerably and more recently most cases have been type “C” caused by handling UXO.^[34] According to UNDP Somalia, hospital statistics reported “accidents,” which include mine injuries among others, as 14% of all fatalities in the past year [2000].^[35] During that year there were 101 mine incidents in northeast Somalia of which 40% resulted in human fatalities.

In central Somalia, statistics are available for Bay and Bakool regions. In Bay region, between 1995 and 2000 1,281 people were killed by mines, including 38 in 2000, a significant decrease from previous years when casualties numbered in the hundreds. A total of 1,729 were reported injured by mines between 1995 and 2000, including 49 in 2000, another significant decrease from previous years when casualties numbered in the hundreds.

Mine Casualties from 1995-2000: Bay region, central Somalia^[36]

In Bakool region, 897 people were killed by mines between 1995 and 2000, including 26 in 2000. Between 1995 and 2000, 450 people were injured, including 34 people in the year 2000.

Mine Casualties from 1995-2000: Bakool region, central Somalia^[37]

In south Somalia, Mogadishu hospital reopened in June 2000 and has 55 beds available, all for emergency surgical cases, with technical support provided by the ICRC.

Casualties treated at Mogadishu hospital (June 2000 – February 2001)^[38]

In the week of 10-16 March 2001, the hospital received 70 patients, of which 33 were “weapon wounded and 32 non-weapons wounded and two were other wounds.”^[39] Thirteen of the patients died.

(See separate report on Somaliland.)

^[1] Interview with Jab Swart, Programme Manager, Mine Action Project, UNDP/SCPP, 27 March 2001.
^[2] UNDP/UNOPS, “UNDP Somalia Mine Action Progress Report, January to June 2001,” p. 3.
^[3] Interview with Jab Swart, UNDP/SCPP, 27 March 2001; Interview with Mr. Sofe, Director, Puntland Development Research Center, Djibouti, 16 November 2000.
^[4] United States Department of State, “To Walk the Earth in Safety,” 2^nd Edition, July 2000.
^[5] US Department of State, Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 2000: Somalia, released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, February 2001.
^[6] Osman Hassan, “Somali Herders Laying Land Mines,” Associated Press (Mogadishu), 18 July 2001.
^[7] UN Portfolio of Mine-related Projects, April 2001, p. 210.
^[8] Ibid.
^[9] Ibid.
^[10] Ibid.
^[11] Survey Action Center, Global Landmine Survey, submission to Landmine Monitor, July 2001; also, UNDP Country and Global Programmes, “Mine Action Update,” 1 March 2001.
^[12] UN Portfolio of Mine-related Projects, April 2001, p. 209.
^[13] Interview with Jab Swart, UNDP/SCPP, 22 March 2001.
^[14] UNDP/UNOPS, “UNDP Somalia Mine Action Progress Report, January - June 2001,” p. 4.
^[15] Ibid.
^[16] UN Portfolio of Mine-related Projects, April 2001, p. 210.
^[17] Ibid, p. 213.
^[18] Ibid, p. 215.
^[19] UNDP/UNOPS, “UNDP Somalia Mine Action Progress Report, January - June 2001,” p. 4.
^[20] Ibid, p. 2.
^[21] Ibid.
^[22] Ibid.
^[23] Email to Landmine Monitor from Tim Carstairs, Communications Director, MAG, 20 July 2001.
^[24] UNDP/UNOPS, “UNDP Somalia Mine Action Progress Report, January - June 2001,” p. 2.
^[25] Ibid, p. 3.
^[26] Ibid, p. 2.
^[27] UN Portfolio of Mine-related Projects, April 2001, p. 210.
^[28] UNDP/UNOPS, “UNDP Somalia Mine Action Progress Report, January - June 2001,” p. 2.
^[29] Ibid, p. 3.
^[30] UN Portfolio of Mine-related Projects, April 2001, p. 211.
^[31] UNDP/UNOPS, “UNDP Somalia Mine Action Progress Report, January - June 2001,” p. 4.
^[32] US Department of State, Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 2000: Somalia, released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, February 2001.
^[33] Osman Hassan, “Somali Herders Laying Land Mines,” Associated Press (Mogadishu), 18 July 2001.
^[34] UNDP/UNOPS, “UNDP Somalia Mine Action Progress Report, January - June 2001,” p. 5.
^[35] Ibid.
^[36] Ibid, p. 6.
^[37] Ibid.
^[38] Prior to November 2000 the hospital apparently did not separate war wounded from other surgical wounded, such as car accidents. UNDP/UNOPS, “UNDP Somalia Mine Action Progress Report, January to June 2001,” p. 6.
^[39] UNDP/UNOPS, “UNDP Somalia Mine Action Progress Report, January - June 2001,” p. 6.

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