Key developments since May 2002: On 22 July
2002, Mauritania created a National Commission in charge of the mine issue. Implementing legislation has been prepared and is being considered.
Instead of keeping 5,728 mines for training, Mauritania will destroy 4,885 mines
and retain 843. The National Humanitarian Demining Office estimates about
310,000 square kilometers (one-third of the country) is affected or suspected to
be affected by mines and UXO. A level one survey was conducted in Nouadhibou in
February-March 2003. Between April 2000 and April 2003, a total of 5,294 mines
and 5,098 UXO were cleared and destroyed.
Mine Ban Policy
The Islamic Republic of Mauritania signed the Mine
Ban Treaty on 3 December 1997, ratified it on 21 July 2000, and the treaty
entered into force for Mauritania on 1 January 2001.
A draft implementation law, including penal sanctions, was sent to the
Ministry of Justice by the National Humanitarian Demining Office (NHDO) on 30
March 2003. It is expected to be adopted before the Fifth Meeting of States
Parties in September 2003.[1]
On 22 July 2002, Mauritania created a National Commission in charge of the
mine issue.[2]
Mauritania attended the Fourth Meeting of States Parties in September 2002
and the intersessional Standing Committee meetings in February and May 2003. On
22 November 2002, Mauritania voted in favor of the UN General Assembly
Resolution 57/74 promoting universalization and implementation of the Mine Ban
Treaty.
Mauritania submitted its third Article 7 report on 30 April
2003.[3]
Mauritania states that it has never manufactured antipersonnel
mines.[4] It is not known to
have exported mines.
Stockpiling and Stockpile Destruction
Mauritania’s June 2001 Article 7 report
provided detailed information on a stockpile of 5,728 antipersonnel mines, which
were all to be retained for training
purposes.[5] In September 2002,
however, the NDHO director told Landmine Monitor that the entire stockpile would
be destroyed in 2003.[6] In
January 2003, he told Landmine Monitor that 4,728 antipersonnel mines would be
destroyed and 1,000 mines retained for training
purposes.[7] Most recently,
Mauritania's April 2003 Article 7 report states that 4,885 antipersonnel mines
have been transferred for destruction and 843 mines will be retained for
training purposes.[8]
A straightforward review of the April 2003 Article 7 report indicates that
destruction of stockpiles is complete. Form G gives a total of 21,053 mines
destroyed. Each of the previous two Article 7 reports gives a figure of 8,084
type 51 mines transferred for destruction, but no actual destruction having
occurred. This year’s report states that all 16,168 of those mines have
now been destroyed, as well as the remaining 4,885 more recently transferred for
destruction.[9]
However, in discussions with Landmine Monitor on 16 May 2003, an official
stated that the number transferred for destruction and already destroyed is
8,084 mines. He said a further 4,885 mines have been transferred and are
awaiting destruction.[10]
Mauritania established a destruction plan in April 2003. However, for the
actual destruction Mauritania needs international
support.[11] The cost of
destruction is budgeted at
US$19,345.[12]
Landmine Problem and Survey
The mine and unexploded ordnance (UXO) problem in
the north of Mauritania is the result of its involvement in the conflict over
the disputed region of Western Sahara between 1975 and 1978. All parties to the
conflict used mines extensively.
The British NGO Mines Advisory Group (MAG) carried out the first assessment
mission in December 2001.[13]
From 3-10 April 2002, the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) conducted an assessment
mission "to define the scope and nature of the landmine/UXO problem, to identify
constraints and opportunities relating to the development of mine action
initiatives, and to make recommendations for a comprehensive response, including
institutional arrangements for the coordination and implementation of mine
action activities."[14]
From 20 February 2003 to 20 March 2003, a level one survey was conducted by
the French NGO, HAMAP-Deminers, in collaboration with the NHDO, in Nouadhibou.
The survey revealed 1,158,570 square meters of mine-affected land in Nouadhibou
alone.[15]
The NHDO estimates about 310,000 square kilometers of land (one-third of the
country) is affected or suspected to be affected by mines and UXO.
Approximately 294,000 people (more than 8.5 percent of the population) are at
risk, mainly nomads.[16] Aside
from actual minefields, many mines were laid so as to block access to vast
areas.[17]
Major economic activities are hindered by the presence of mines and UXO
including: iron ore extraction; coastal fishing; trade through the overland
route from Morocco; and tourism in coastal and desert areas. Affected areas are
located in the northern regions of Dakhlet Nouadhibou, Adrar, and Tiris Zemour;
generally around the urban centers of Nouadhibou, Zouerate and Bir Moghrein.
The towns of Choum, F'derick, Atar, Chinguiti, and Boulenoir, as well as more
remote locations along the northern and western borders, are also
mine-affected.[18] The
shifting of dunes, the instability of soils and the absence of natural barriers
make access to those regions difficult for clearance operations and increase the
danger for the civilian
population.[19]
According to MAG, "Given the size and density of the minefields MAG saw," the
prior estimate of 50,000 to 100,000 mines remaining in the ground, "does not
seem unreasonable."[20] The
most frequently encountered mines are the undetectable French APID51 and ACID51
mines, used by the Army.[21]
It is expected landmines will affect even more people in the future, when a
number of the 200,000 Sarahouis refugees currently in the Tindouf region in
Algeria return to Mauritania, after the issue of the Western Sahara is settled.
They are likely to establish themselves in the border area, which is
mined.[22]
Mine Action Funding
In 2002, Mauritania allocated US$850,000 from its
national defense budget to the
NHDO.[23] In its fiscal year
2002, the United States Department of Defense provided an estimated $698,000 in
mine action assistance for
Mauritania.[24]
For 2003, NHDO’s estimated budget is $1,684,345 for its operations, a
level one survey, four demining missions, two mine risk education missions and
the production of mine risk education materials, initiation of a victim
assistance program, training of NHDO staff and their participation in
international meetings, and stockpile destruction. However, this amount does not
include the planned mapping of affected areas, or the purchase of rapid medical
evacuation equipment.[25]
Coordination and Planning
On 22 July 2002, Mauritania created a National
Commission in charge of the mine issue, composed of representatives from the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, the Ministry of National Defense,
the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Justice, two deputies of the National
Assembly and two representatives of
NGOs.[26] It held its first
meeting on 31 December
2002.[27]
The National Humanitarian Demining Office (NHDO) was officially created in
June 2002,[28] but has been
operational since April
2000.[29] Its regional office
in Nouadhibou was inaugurated in October
2002.[30] Others are planned in
Atar and Zouerate.[31]
The NHDO coordinates all activities in the fight against antipersonnel mines
and UXO, including training and equipping deminers, prioritization of mine
action, conducting surveys, resource mobilization, participation in
international forums on mines, and the implementation of mine risk education
campaigns and victim
assistance.[32] The NHDO has
four sections: sensitization, administration and logistics, data gathering and
analysis, training and
operation.[33] It runs the
school for demining. By May 2003, 104 deminers had been
trained.[34]
The Geneva International Center for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) is expected
to install the Information Management System for Mine Action (IMSMA) database by
September 2003.[35]
Humanitarian mine clearance is considered to be a component of the overall
plan for development and the fight against poverty in the
country.[36]
Mine Clearance and Risk Education
In 2002, 161,200 square meters of land were cleared
in Zouerat, destroying 227 antipersonnel mines, 193 antivehicle mines and six
grenades. In Bir Moghrein, 83 antipersonnel mines, 26 antivehicle mines and nine
grenades were destroyed. In Nouakchott, 2,531 antipersonnel mines and 37
antivehicle mines were
destroyed.[37]
Between April 2000 and April 2003, a total of 5,294 mines and 5,098 UXO were
destroyed.[38] Between 20
February and 20 March 2003, 6,210 square meters were cleared and 413
antipersonnel mines, thirteen antivehicle mines and seven UXO were
destroyed.[39] The priority for
2003 is clearing the road between Mauritania and
Morocco.[40]
In 2002, the NHDO was the sole provider of mine risk education (MRE) in
Mauritania. One MRE mission was carried out in Zouerate in April 2002,
distributing 150 MRE
materials.[41] Another took
place in May 2002 in Nouadhibou, where 200 MRE materials were
distributed.[42] Between 20
February and 20 March 2003, the NHDO, together with the French NGO
HAMAP-Deminers, carried out MRE activities while they conducted a level one
survey in Nouadhibou.[43] They
distributed 300 t-shirts, 300 posters, 300 brochures, 400 booklets and four
signs.[44] UNICEF plans MRE
activities in 2003-2005, with a total budget of
$250,000.[45]
Landmine Casualties
In 2002, three incidents involving antivehicle
mines were reported. In May in Zouerat, one person was killed and three others
injured when a mine
exploded.[46] An unknown number
of people were injured in mine incidents in Atar on 28 September and in
Nouadhibou on 4 December.[47]
In 2001, a Portuguese national was injured when his vehicle hit a landmine
during the Paris-Dakar
rally.[48]
In January 2003, an antivehicle mine explosion injured three people; one was
evacuated to the hospital in Nouakchott for
treatment.[49]
Between 1978 and 2000, 343 people were killed and 239 seriously injured in
reported landmine incidents.[50]
However, because of the size of the country and the nomadic way of life of the
population, it is believed that not all mine incidents are reported and that the
true number of mine casualties could be much
higher.[51]
Survivor Assistance
Government policy makes no distinction between
landmine survivors and other persons with disabilities. Emergency cases are
sent to Nouakchott or to regional hospitals, but the capacity of facilities is
limited. Community-based rehabilitation programs have been set up in the
country. However, specialized facilities for rehabilitation of the disabled are
based in Nouakchott and are therefore inaccessible to the majority of the
population.[52] The NHDO does
not provide assistance and no specific survivor assistance plan or policy
exists.[53]
The National Orthopedic Center in Nouakchott provides physical rehabilitation
and produces prostheses. However, the center reportedly lacks up-to-date
equipment, with at least three machines not functioning. The center has the
capacity to produce 40 to 50 prostheses a month at a cost of about US$70 each.
No information is available on the number of mine survivors
assisted.[54]
Mauritania does not have specific laws to protect the rights of persons with
disabilities.[55]
[1] Interview with Col. Abdi Ahmed Tfeil,
Director, National Humanitarian Demining Office, Geneva, 16 May 2003.
Mauritania's Article 7 reports, under national implementation measures, refer to
Law 99-07 of 20 January 1999. However, this is the ratification law, not
implementing legislation. The draft implementation law includes penal sanctions
of 10 years imprisonment and a fine of MRO10 million (approximately $35,000).
See Landmine Monitor Report 2002, p.
343. [2] Decree No. 786/MAEC/MDN, 22
July 2002 in Article 7 Report, Form A, 30 April 2003. Landmine Monitor was told
by the NHDO that the Commission was created in December 2001. Landmine Monitor
Report 2002, p. 343. [3] Article 7
Report, submitted 30 April 2003 (for the period 1 June 2002 to 30 April 2003).
Earlier reports were submitted on 20 June 2001 (for the period 1 June to 1
November 2001), and on 12 June 2002 (for the period 1 June 2001 to 1 June
2002). [4] Article 7 Report, Form E, 20
June 2001. [5] Article 7 Report, Form B,
20 June 2001. The stock includes 1,890 French “model 51” (APID 51)
mines, 1,838 Soviet PMN mines, and 2,000 “MP” mines (likely Yugoslav
PMA-3 mines). [6] Interview with Col.
Abdi Ahmed Tfeil, Director, National Humanitarian Demining Office, Geneva, 19
September 2002. [7] Interview with Col.
Abdi Ahmed Tfeil, Director, NHDO, Nouakchott, 22 December
2002. [8] Article 7 Report, Form D, 30
April 2003. Mines to be retained include 623 APID 51, 220 PMN, and 200
MP. [9] Article 7 Reports for 2001, 2002
and 2003, Forms D and G. [10] Interview
with Col. Abdi Ahmed Tfeil, NHDO, 16 May
2003. [11] Interviews with Col. Abdi
Ahmed Tfeil, NHDO, 22 December 2002 and 7 February 2003; Article 7 Report, Form
I, 30 April 2003. [12] NHDO,
“Unissons nos efforts pour une terre sans mines” (Let's join efforts
for a world without mines), presentation document provided to Landmine Monitor,
May 2003. [13] Mines Advisory Group,
“Mauritania: Assessment Report on behalf of Canadian Department of Foreign
Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT),” December 2001, p.
2. [14] UNMAS, "Evaluation Mission of
the Mine/UXO Problem in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania," December 2002,
Annex A, Terms of Reference, p. 22. [15]
NHDO, “Mission de Sensibilisation et de Déminage en collaboration
avec l'ONG HAMAP-Démineurs à Nouadhibou,” 20 February-20
March 2003. [16] Interview with Col.
Abdi Ahmed Tfeil, NHDO, 22 December
2002. [17] NHDO, “Mission de
Sensibilisation et de Déminage,” 20 February-20 March
2003. [18] Landmine Monitor Report 2002,
pp. 344-345. [19] NHDO, “Unissons
nos Efforts pour une Terre sans Mines,” May 2003, p.
2. [20] Landmine Monitor Report 2002, p.
345. [21] UNMAS, “Evaluation
Mission,” December 2002, p.
10. [22]
Ibid. [23] Interview with Col. Abdi
Ahmed Tfeil, NHDO, 16 May 2003. [24] US
Department of State, “To Walk the Earth in Safety,” September
2002. [25] NHDO, “Unissons nos
Efforts pour une Terre sans Mines,” May 2003, pp.
23-24. [26] Decree No. 786/MAEC/MDN, 22
July 2002. By Decree No. 1358/MAEC/MDN of 3 December 2002 its members were
designated nominative. [27] Interview
with Col. Abdi Ahmed Tfeil, NHDO, Nouakchott, 4 January
2003. [28] Decree No. 402/02/MDN, 12
June 2002; Article 7 Report, Form A, 30 April
2003. [29] NHDO, “Unissons nos
efforts pour une terre sans mines,” May
2003. [30] Ibid, p.
5. [31] NHDO, "Unissons nos efforts pour
une terre sans mines," May 2003; interview with Col. Abdi Ahmed Tfeil, NHDO, 16
May 2003. [32] UNMAS, “Evaluation
Mission,” December 2002, Annex A, Terms of Reference, p.
22. [33] NHDO, “Unissons nos
efforts pour une terre sans mines,” May
2003. [34]
Ibid. [35] Article 7 Report, Form I, 30
April 2003. [36]
Ibid. [37] Répertoire de toutes
les Missions du BNDH, “Situation Générale des
Opérations de Déminage et de Sensibilisation,” available at
www.demining.mr [38]
Article 7 Report, Form G, 30 April
2003. [39] NHDO, “Mission de
Sensibilisation et de Déminage,” 20 February-20 March
2003. [40] Interview with Col. Abdi
Ahmed Tfeil, NHDO, 16 May 2003. [41]
Répertoire de toutes les Missions du BNDH, “Situation
Générale;” UN, “Portfolio of Mine-Related Projects
2003,” October 2003, pp.
191-192. [42] Répertoire de
toutes les Missions du BNDH, “Situation
Générale.” [43]
NDHO, “Mission de Sensibilisation et de Déminage,” 20
February-20 March 2003. [44] Ibid;
Article 7 Report, Form I, 30 April
2003. [45] UN, “Portfolio of
Mine-Related Projects 2003, p.
191-192. [46] Interview with Col. Abdi
Ahmed Tfeil, NHDO, 19 September
2002. [47] Interview with Col. Abdi
Ahmed Tfeil, NHDO, 24 December
2002. [48] Landmine Monitor Report 2002,
p. 346. [49] Interview with Col. Abdi
Ahmed Tfeil, NHDO, 16 May 2003. [50]
Landmine Monitor Report 2002, p.
346. [51] UNMAS, “Evaluation
Mission,” May 2003. [52] Landmine
Monitor Report 2001, pp. 104-105. [53]
NHDO, “Mission de Sensibilisation et de Déminage,” 20
February-20 March 2003. [54] Interview
with Mohamed ould Mohamed Saleh, Director, National Orthopedic Center,
Nouakchott, 26 December 2002. [55]
Interview with Tambo Camara, National Union of Physical and Mental Handicap
(UNHPM), Nouakchott, 26 December 2002.
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