Burkina Faso signed the
Mine Ban Treaty on 3 December 1997, ratified on 16 September 1998, and the
treaty entered into force on 1 March 1999. Decree 180 of 2001 incorporates the
Treaty into domestic law and violations are punishable with a one-to-five-year
prison term and/or a fine of between CFA300,000 to 1,500,000 (US$410 to
$2,050).[1]
Burkina Faso attended the Fourth Meeting of State Parties in September 2002
and the intersessional Standing Committee meetings in February and May 2003.
The government also participated in a Seminar on the Implementation of Article 7
of the Ottawa Treaty in Central Africa, organized by the Belgian Ministry of
Foreign Affairs in Brussels from 12 to 13 November 2002. Burkina Faso submitted
its fourth Article 7 Report in 2003; essentially a “nil”
report.[2] On 22 November 2002,
Burkina Faso voted in favor of the UN General Assembly resolution 57/74 on the
universalization and implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty. It does not
produce, export or uses antipersonnel mines and has no
stockpiles.[3]
Burkina Faso is not a mine-affected country, but since 1969 members of its
Military Engineering Department have been trained in demining techniques in
France, Germany, Tunisia, the USA and the former Soviet
Union.[4] In April 2003, two
officers attended training at a regional mine clearance training center in
Ouidah, Benin.[5]
[1] Landmine Monitor Report 2002, p.
136. [2] See Article 7 reports submitted
on: 4 December 2000 (for the year 2000), 6 August 2001 (for calendar year 2000)
and 14 March 2002 (for calendar year 2001).
[3] Landmine Monitor Report 2002, p.
136. [4] Email from Capt. Blaise Kiema,
Officer of the Military Engineers, Ministry of Defense, 6 May
2003. [5] Ibid.
About Us
Our Research Products