Table of Contents

Country Reports

LM Report 2004

Rwanda

Key developments since May 2003: There have been new allegations that Rwanda has supplied antipersonnel mines and other types of assistance to rebel forces in the Democratic Republic of Congo, who have admitted ongoing use of mines. According to the National Demining Office, a total of 26,752 square meters of land was cleared in 2003. In June 2004, Rwanda stated that at the current pace of demining, and with a lack of financial resources, Rwanda will not be able to meet its clearance deadline. No overall mine action plan is yet in place, but in June 2004, a military official stated that the plan would be announced by the Nairobi Summit. No mine risk education activities have been conducted since 2001.

Key developments since 1999: Rwanda became a State Party on 1 December 2000. It has not yet enacted domestic implementation legislation, although a government committee was created in July 2002 to draft such legislation. Rwanda submitted its first Article 7 transparency report, due by 30 May 2001, on 4 September 2001, indicating that it has no stockpile of antipersonnel mines. There were serious and credible allegations of Rwandan use of antipersonnel mines in the fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo, especially in the June 2000 battle for Kisangani. Rwanda denies any use. There have also been allegations that Rwanda has supplied antipersonnel mines and other types of assistance to RCD-Goma and UPC rebel forces in the DRC, who have admitted ongoing mine use.

An NDO assessment carried out from October 2002 to January 2003 determined that since 1995, 46 percent of Rwanda’s mined areas had been cleared. According to the NDO, from 1995 through 2003, a total 477,576 square meters of land was cleared. Mine risk education was carried out between 1995 and 2001, but there have been no MRE activities since, due largely to a lack of funding. From 1990 to June 2004, 659 mine/UXO casualties were recorded, including 275 people killed and 384 injured.

Mine Ban Policy

After some participation in the Ottawa Process, Rwanda signed the Mine Ban Treaty on 3 December 1997.^[1] It ratified the treaty on 13 June 2000, becoming a State Party on 1 December 2000. By presidential order of 24 December 1998, the Mine Ban Treaty was incorporated into domestic law, but no specific implementation legislation exists.^[2] In April 2004, Rwanda stated that "efforts to enact a legislation and administrative measures are underway following the promulgation of a new constitution in Rwanda."^[3] The law would include penal sanctions.^[4] An official at a March 2004 landmine workshop noted the need for legislation and called upon the International Committee of the Red Cross for assistance in that effort.^[5] Rwanda submitted its most recent Article 7 update on 1 April 2004.^[6] It submitted two reports previously.^[7]

Rwanda participated in the Fifth Meeting of States Parties in Bangkok, Thailand, in September 2003, where it stressed the need for accountability of, and possible sanctions for, manufacturers and traders of antipersonnel mines, especially those who sell to non-state actors and to nations supporting those groups.^[8] Rwanda has attended all the annual Meetings of States Parties except in 2000, and has participated in the most of the intersessional Standing Committee meetings since 2002, including those in February and June 2004. Regionally, Rwanda has attended workshops on landmines held in Kenya (March 2004) and Mali (February 2001).

On 8 December 2003, Rwanda voted in favor of the UN General Assembly Resolution 58/53 supporting universalization and implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty. It voted in favor of pro-ban resolutions in 1996, 1997, and 2002, but was absent from the vote in 1998 through 2001.

Rwanda has not engaged in the extensive discussions that States Parties have had on matters of interpretation and implementation related to Articles 1, 2, and 3 of the Mine Ban Treaty. Thus, Rwanda has not made known its views on issues related to joint military operations with non-States Parties, antivehicle mines with sensitive fuzes or antihandling devices, and the permissible number of mines retained for training. Given its involvement in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda’s silence on the issue of joint military operations is especially notable.

Rwanda is not a party to the Convention on Conventional Weapons.

Production and Stockpiling

Rwanda reports that it has never produced antipersonnel mines.^[9] In the past, Rwanda imported an unknown number of antipersonnel mines; some 35 types of mines from at least eight countries have been found in Rwanda.^[10] It has stated that it has no stockpiles of antipersonnel mines. The government maintains that in 1994 the former government “fled into neighboring Congo with all arms and ammunitions.... The current government has never imported antipersonnel mines, therefore no stockpiled antipersonnel mines [are] in Rwanda...”^[11]

After initially indicating that it retained no mines, in April 2003, Rwanda reported having 101 antipersonnel mines that had been “uprooted from minefields and retained for training purposes.”^[12] As of April 2004, none of them had been consumed.^[13] An official told Landmine Monitor in June 2004 that there is no reason to keep the mines and confirmed Rwanda's willingness to destroy them.^[14]

Use

Since 1998, there has been no reported new use of antipersonnel mines in Rwanda.^[15] However, there have been allegations of mine use in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) by Rwanda and opposition forces it supports. There were particularly serious and credible allegations that Rwandan forces used antipersonnel mines during the fighting around Kisangani in the DRC in June 2000.^[16] Rwandan officials have repeatedly denied using mines in the DRC. Landmine Monitor does not have evidence of new use of antipersonnel mines by Rwandan forces in the DRC since Rwanda became a State Party in December 2000.^[17]

Transfer

In recent years, Landmine Monitor has noted unconfirmed allegations that Rwanda has supplied antipersonnel mines to rebels in the DRC, notably the Congolese Rally for Democracy (RCD) and the Union of Congolese Patriots (UPC). Rwanda has strongly denied all allegations.^[18] In 2003 and 2004, numerous local leaders in the DRC told Landmine Monitor that they believed Rwanda has provided weapons, including antipersonnel mines, directly to UPC and indirectly through RCD-Goma to UPC and Hema militias.^[19]

In a January 2004 interview, a high-ranking official of the UPC told Landmine Monitor that his movement had recently received important military support from Rwanda, including antipersonnel mines.^[20] In February 2004, the president of the Civil Society of Ituri district in the DRC claimed that “the UPC and Hema militia have signed an agreement of military cooperation with Rwanda...which provides arms and munitions, including antipersonnel mines.”^[21]

In 2004, the Congolese Army accused insurgent troops of Col. Jules Mutebutsi and Gen. Laurent Nkunda, both former RCD rebel leaders and reportedly backed by Rwanda, of new mine use when they took the town of Bukavu, in South Kivu, close to the border with Rwanda, at the end of May and beginning of June 2004.^[22] When the Armed Forces expelled the insurgents from Bukavu, Mutebutsi and his troops fled to Kamanyola, a town some 40 kilometers south of Bukavu, where they reportedly mined the road.^[23] They subsequently fled to Rwanda. After the attack on Bukavu, the UN panel monitoring Security Council Resolution 1493 imposing a ban on military and financial support for armed groups in eastern DRC, said it was "highly likely" that the rebels were supplied with weapons coming from Rwanda. Landmines were not specified.^[24] Rwanda has rejected the claim.^[25]

Assisting Mine Use in the DRC

Apart from the allegations that it has supplied antipersonnel mines, Rwanda could be at risk of violating the Mine Ban Treaty by virtue of its close military cooperation with rebels in the DRC who admit using antipersonnel mines. Under Article 1 of the Mine Ban Treaty, a State Party may not “under any circumstance...assist, encourage or induce, in any way, anyone to engage in any activity that is prohibited to a State Party under this Convention.” Landmine Monitor Report 2003 cited allegations of continuing Rwandan support for RCD-Goma and a number of other rebel groups fighting in the DRC, including the UPC and its Hema allies, all of whom have allegedly used antipersonnel mines in 2002 or 2003.^[26] The nature and extent of Rwanda’s support is unclear.

Rwandan officials have repeatedly claimed that there is no interrelated military command structure between the Rwanda Army and the RCD-Goma rebels, and that the relationship is merely political.^[27] In September 2003, an official of the Ministry of Defense stated Rwandan troops have not been present in the DRC since October 2002 and denied any ongoing military support to RCD-Goma or UPC.^[28] However, the media has reported that a confidential October 2003 United Nations report accused Rwanda of continuing to arm militias in the DRC.^[29] Numerous international and local sources continue to report the presence of Rwandan military in the DRC, including a May 2004 report to the UN Security Council.^[30] In that report, the Security Council called upon the DRC and Rwandan governments to "take all necessary measures to facilitate the swift and voluntary repatriation of Rwandan combatants from the DRC," after disarming and demobilizing them.^[31]

The UN Security Council report that was issued following the attack on Bukavu in 2004 by the insurgent troops of Col. Mutebutsi and Gen. Nkunda, in which mines were reportedly used, said, "Rwanda’s violations involved direct and indirect support...to the mutinous troops. Rwanda has also exerted a degree of command and control over Mutebutsi's forces."^[32] Again, Rwanda has denied any involvement.^[33]

Landmine Monitor cannot confirm that Rwanda has supplied antipersonnel mines to rebel combatants in the DRC, which would constitute a violation of one of the core prohibitions of the Mine Ban Treaty. Likewise Landmine Monitor cannot determine the precise nature of Rwanda’s assistance to other forces that have used antipersonnel mines, but which could also violate Article 1. Landmine Monitor believes that the allegations, including an apparent admission from a rebel group of receiving Rwandan mines, merit an effort by States Parties to consult with and seek clarifications from the Rwandan government and other relevant actors about these compliance concerns.

Rwanda’s Response to Allegations of Transfer and Assistance

In a spirit of openness and dialogue, Landmine Monitor provided the government of Rwanda with a draft copy of this country report, and invited comments and clarifications. The government provided a detailed response on 1 October 2004, just as Landmine Monitor was going to print. The government replied that it is “deeply perturbed by the false, biased and baseless allegations.” With respect to the allegations of transfer of mines, it stated, “Rwanda has not had any military involvement in the DRC after the total withdrawal of the Rwandan Defense Forces in October 2002. The fact that the RCD were Rwanda’s allies does not mean that we supplied them with anti-personnel mines. Moreover, the Rwanda Defense Forces could not supply what they did not have.” Rwanda characterizes the concerns about possible assistance with prohibited acts as “false and absurd,” and states, “There may be some elements in or outside the non-state combatants who for one reason or another allege that their organizations received anti-personnel mines from Rwanda.... The Government of Rwanda totally refutes these fabricated allegations. We request that these allegations be independently verified.” Rwanda concludes by describing the draft report as “diversionary, maliciously unfair, lacking in credibility and undoubtedly ill intentioned.... Lastly, the Government of Rwanda wishes to reaffirm her total commitment to the Ottawa Convention.”^[34]

Landmine Problem and Survey

Rwanda's landmine problem is a result of the 1990-1994 Tutsi insurgency (RPF) against the government army (FAR), the 1994 genocide, the retreat of the FAR and Interahamwe militias to neighboring countries, and the subsequent attacks by the latter from the DRC in 1995 and 1998. The unexploded ordnance (UXO) problem in the country is reportedly more widespread than the mine problem.^[35]

Between October 2002 and January 2003, the National Demining Office (NDO) carried out an assessment "to determine the extent of the mine threat in Rwanda after plus seven years of continuous demining," with technical support from RONCO Consulting Corporation, a US-based commercial demining agency contracted by the US State Department.^[36] Of the twelve provinces, four reported a threat of mines: Kigali, Byumba, Ruhengeri and Gisenyi. Two minefields were discovered after the assessment, one of which has been cleared.^[37]

By the end of January 2003, nineteen identified minefields with a total of 961,110 square meters remained to be cleared.^[38]

In Kigali Town, there were minefields in the following districts: Kacyiru, Gikondo, Gisozi, and Kanombe. In Kigali Rural, there was a minefield in Buliza district. In Byumba province, there were minefields in Rushaki and Kiyombe districts. In Ruhengeri province, there were minefields in Mutobo and Cyeru districts. In Gisenyi province, there were minefields in Gaseke and Gasiza districts.

According to Rwanda's April 2003 Article 7 report, a total of 974,673 square meters remained to be cleared.^[39] This area is more than the figure given by the survey as being mine-affected. Rwanda's April 2004 Article 7 report states that the estimated mined areas have been reduced from 974,673 square meters to 639,770 square meters.^[40]

The 2004 Article 7 report does not list Ruhengeri province as mine-affected.^[41] However, this is likely an oversight, since the survey indicated a total mined area of 38,175 square meters and Rwanda reported clearing only 435.7 square meters in the province.^[42]

Most mined areas are marked by warning signs and are sometimes fenced, depending on the availability of resources. The fences range from temporary to more permanent, depending on how quickly the NDO can start its demining activities.^[43] Deminers have told Landmine Monitor that local residents often remove fences, as well as the wooden sticks used as indicators inside the minefields, to use for other purposes.^[44] The survey conducted in Rwanda in October 2002-January 2003, revealed that the marking system of the four largest minefields was "in such disarray that assessing the size of them was impossible,” and that "the marking systems at the minefields are so sub-standard that they are dangerous."^[45]

Mine Action Coordination

Rwanda created the National Demining Office (NDO) in 1995, under the Ministry of Defense. The NDO is composed of a coordination unit, survey teams and operational teams.^[46] It has 43 deminers.^[47] The United States has been the only external donor to the program.

The main functions of the NDO are to develop mine action policies and strategies, and a sustainable and integrated mine action plan; to coordinate demining activities in the country; and to maintain a national database.^[48] The NDO was reportedly waiting for the completion of the 2002-2003 assessment to develop its national mine action plan.^[49] No overall mine action plan is yet in place. In June 2004, a military official stated that the plan would be announced by the 2004 Nairobi Review Conference.^[50] The Information Management System for Mine Action (IMSMA) was installed in June 2001.^[51]

The assessment report recommends refresher training for the current deminers, hiring a demining expert and 100 new deminers, creating three more mine detecting dogs teams, bringing in mechanical clearance devices, and management training. It also recommends that a civilian should head the NDO, to attract international donors.^[52] It notes that sixteen of the 20 minefields identified could be cleared by mid-2004, but "realistically it would take 10-20 years before declaring Rwanda mine-safe depending on whether the NDO acquires more deminers."^[53]

Mine Clearance

Figures for mine clearance in the reporting period are not clear. According to the National Demining Office report, in 2003, a total of 26,752 square meters was cleared, and in the first half of 2004, a total of 10,810 square meters was cleared, for a total of 37,562.^[54] However, Rwanda's April 2004 Article 7 report states that three minefields, covering a total area of 41,501 square meters, were cleared from April 2003 to March 2004. Moreover, the report indicates that the estimated mined areas were “reduced” by 334,903 square meters in that period.^[55]

Some figures in the NDO clearance report do not match the figures given in the minefield survey. In Mburabuturo (in Gikondo district) 11,142 square meters were reportedly cleared, whereas the contaminated area was estimated to be 6,188 square meters. In Centre Christus (Kacyiru district) 4,677 square meters were reportedly cleared, whereas the size of the mined area had been estimated to be 3,633 square meters. It is unclear if these minefields were bigger than initially thought, or if other minefields were discovered. Also, two minefields not mentioned in the survey, Matimba (Mutara) and Nyamugali were reportedly cleared.^[56] It is unclear when they were discovered, and what their total size was.

In November 2003, the US Department of Defense, with the collaboration of the NDO, deployed a Mini-Mulching System for field testing for a period of six months.^[57] Four deminers have been trained to use the system, which helped clear over 7,000 square meters by April 2004.^[58]

Between 1995 and 2002, the NDO cleared 24 minefields with a total of 450,824 square meters, destroying 1,086 landmines (antipersonnel and antivehicle) and 27,438 UXO.^[59] From 1995 to June 2004, 1,131 landmines were cleared.^[60] Quality control is assured by the NDO.^[61]

At the intersessional Standing Committee meeting on Mine Clearance in June 2004, an official discussed some of the problems facing Rwanda in completing its mine clearance obligation. He reported that the clearance equipment is old and inadequate, and the mine detecting dogs are getting old.^[62] He stated that with the lack of financial resources, and if mine clearance continues at the same pace, Rwanda would not be able to meet its 2009 clearance deadline.^[63] Rwanda’s treaty-mandated deadline for destruction of all antipersonnel mines in mined areas is 1 December 2010.

Mine Risk Education

In 2003, no systematic mine risk education (MRE) took place in Rwanda. Some "Be aware of Mines" posters were displayed in suspected locations.^[64]

The NDO has been in charge of MRE since 1995, and it had an agreement with the Ministry of Information (ORINFOR) to broadcast MRE messages. Between 1995 and 2001, Rwanda conducted quite intensive MRE through media, activities in schools, and theater. This likely contributed to the decrease in the number of casualties from 114 in 1995 to 10 in 1999.^[65] However, since 2002, no MRE has been conducted at all, due largely to a lack of specific MRE funding for the NDO. As a result, ORINFOR is no longer willing to participate in MRE, except for announcing on the radio when and where demining activities will take place.^[66] According to one official, more mine casualties have been registered again due to the lack of MRE.^[67]

During demining operations, the danger of mines has been explained to the local population. However, according to several deminers, people rarely take into consideration the risk of entering mine-affected areas, which mainly are pastureland vital in an overpopulated agricultural country such as Rwanda.^[68] In October 2002, Landmine Monitor witnessed farmers cross a marked and fenced minefield.^[69]

Mine Action Funding

In 2003, the Ministry of Defense allocated FRW191,919,904 (US$330,893) to the NDO.^[70] Rwanda reports that it contributed the following amounts for mine action inside the country: $162,665 in 1999; $127,036 in 2000; $129,690 in 2001; $128,479 in 2002; and $127,500 in 2003.^[71]

The US has been the primary international donor for mine action in Rwanda, and provided $142,095 in its fiscal year 2003.^[72] This is the last contribution planned; there are no budget requests for Rwanda in 2004 or 2005.^[73] US demining assistance began in 1994 and has included extensive support to establish the NDO and a data collection and records management system, as well as for a train-the-trainer program and mine risk education training.^[74] The US provided a total of $15.1 million in mine action assistance to Rwanda for its Fiscal Years 1995-2003, including $3 million in FY 1999-2003: $1.8 million in FY1999; $291,999 in FY 2000; $400,000 in FY 2001; $350,000 in FY2002; and $142,095 in FY2003.^[75]

According to the UN Mine Action Service database, in 1994 the United Kingdom provided $48,000 in mine action assistance, and in 1998 Japan provided $74,709. ^[76] UNHCR and UNICEF reportedly funded some mine risk education before 1999.^[77]

Landmine Casualties^[78]

In 2003, seven new landmine/UXO casualties were recorded by the NDO, including two killed and five seriously injured; all were men. This represents a decrease from the ten new mine casualties reported in 2002. However, casualties in the first six months of 2004 appear to be increasing with six new casualties recorded to July. A Rwandan official attributed the increase to the lack of mine risk education activities.^[79]

The National Demining Office has been collecting and recording mine casualty data using IMSMA since June 2001. However, the NDO expressed concern that not all mine casualties are reported.^[80] As of June 2004, 659 mine/UXO casualties were recorded, including 275 people killed, 236 seriously injured and 148 lightly injured.^[81] Of the total casualties, Byumba province recorded 263 (40 percent), Kigali Rural 168 (25 percent), Mutara 134 (20 percent), Kigali Town 49 (seven percent), and Ruhengeri 23 (three percent). Casualties were also reported in the provinces of Butare, Cyangugu, Gisenyi, Gitarama, and Kibungo.

Landmine/UXO Casualties – 1990 to July 2004

Year	Total	Killed	Injured	Male	Female	Unknown
1990-1998	579	238	341	417	162
1999	10	2	8	9	1
2000	24	9	15	22	2
2001	23	19	4	14	9
2002	10	2	8	5	2	3
2003	7	2	5	7
2004 (to July)	6	3	3	6
Total	659	275	384	480	176	3

Survivor Assistance

The healthcare infrastructure in Rwanda was severely affected by the 1994 conflict. In some areas of the country, the population lives more than a 1.5 hours’ walk from the nearest health center. Challenges to improving healthcare include a lack of skilled medical personnel, limited accessibility due to cost and location of services, and ensuring the quality of available services.^[82]

The National Demining Office has a standby team that includes medical personnel, to evacuate mine casualties to the nearest hospital.^[83] There are four specialized orthopedic centers; at the Kigali Hospital, the military hospital, the Gatagara Center, and the center operated by the NGO Japan Mulindi One Love. There are no specific programs for mine survivors who are assisted through general programs for all persons with disabilities. However, the existing programs reportedly need to be strengthened to meet the needs of persons with disabilities, particularly through the training of physiotherapists and technicians.^[84] Information is not always available on the number of mine survivors assisted in programs as there is limited capacity to record the cause of disability.

In 2003, the National Prosthesis and Rehabilitation Service at the Kigali Hospital produced 124 prostheses and 209 orthoses, and provided 539 crutches; at least four mine survivors, including one from the DRC, were assisted.^[85] In 2002, the center fitted 236 prostheses, including three for mine survivors from the DRC, and distributed 647 crutches. The number of Rwandan mine survivors assisted is not known.^[86] In 2001, the center assisted 289 amputees, including 120 mine survivors.^[87]

Handicap International (HI) supports the orthopedic workshop at Kigali Hospital and the decentralized units in Cyangugu, Gahini, Ruhengeri and Butare, trains physiotherapists and technicians, and produces prostheses and crutches. In 2003, HI assisted 1,259 people at the orthopedic center at Kigali Hospital and 325 in the decentralized units. In 2002, HI assisted 1,543 people and trained 29 physiotherapy assistants and orthopedic technicians. Since 2000, HI has assisted more than 225 mine survivors. HI also supports socio-economic reintegration activities and local associations of persons with disabilities.^[88]

The Gatagara Center, run by the Brothers of Charity, provides free orthopedic surgery and physiotherapy, produces and fits artificial limbs, and promotes the socio-economic reintegration of persons with disabilities through primary and secondary (in Butare) education and vocational training. In 2003, it opened a school for the blind and a center for physiotherapy in Rwamagana. The government, the ICRC, and the Dutch NGO Memisa support the center.^[89]

The Mulindi Japan One Love Project (MJOLP), a joint Rwandan/Japanese NGO, has been running an orthopedic center in Kigali since 1997. It provides prostheses and orthoses free-of-charge and promotes the socio-economic reintegration of persons with disabilities. In August 2003, MJOLP’s mobile service, which started in February 2002, visited all twelve provinces of the country. MJOLP also promotes sports for persons with disabilities and trains athletes for the 2004 Athens Paralympic Games. MJOLP has assisted more than 116 mine survivors since 2000 and receives part of its budget from the Ministry of Local Government and Social Affairs. No information was provided on the number of people assisted in 2003.^[90]

The General Association of Handicapped of Rwanda (AGHR) supports 263 persons with disabilities through advocacy and financial aid including covering the costs of schooling or vocational training. AGHR receives support from the government and Handicap International.^[91]

In 2003, the Federation of Associations and Centers of the Handicapped in Rwanda was approved by the Ministry of Interior to act as an advocate for disability organizations with the government.^[92]

Rwanda submitted the voluntary Form J attachment with its Article 7 Report in 2003 and 2004 with information on mine action generally.^[93]

A mine survivor from Rwanda participated in the Raising the Voices training program in 2002.

Disability Policy and Practice

The Ministry of Health is responsible for issues relating to persons with disabilities. In October 2002, a national plan for the rehabilitation of persons with a physical disability was drafted, with the support of Handicap International. The objectives of the plan are to fight the causes of disability, to assure infrastructure and equipment, to train personnel, and to facilitate the socio-economic reintegration of persons with disabilities. Mine survivors are not specifically mentioned in the plan, but come under the category of disability caused by trauma.^[94] The plan has been approved by the government, but has not been implemented due to a lack of resources.^[95]

The new Constitution of Rwanda of 4 May 2003 provides for a permanent seat in the National Assembly of an elected representative of persons with disabilities. The representative was elected by the Federation of Associations and Centers of the Handicapped in Rwanda and took a place in the assembly in October 2003.^[96]

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[1] Rwanda attended the October 1996 meeting which launched the Ottawa Process as an observer. It also participated in the Bonn preparatory meeting and endorsed the Brussels Declaration, but did not attend the Oslo treaty negotiations.
[2] Order of the President, nr. 38/01, 24 December 1998; Article 7 Report, Form A, 22 April 2003. Rwanda has stated that an existing law, Decree-Law 12/79, which prohibits illegal import, use, transfer and possession of arms and ammunition, also covers mines, but mines are not explicitly mentioned in the decree; see Article 7 Report, Form A, 22 April 2003; interview with Maj. Ferdinand Safari, Director, Operations Unit, Ministry of Defense, Kigali, 28 October 2002.
[3] Article 7 Report, Form A, 1 April 2004. Also, statement by Capt. Jean-Marie Micombero, Director of Administration and Judicial Affairs, Ministry of Defense, at the intersessional Standing Committee meetings, Geneva, 21-25 June 2004.
[4] Statement by Capt. Jean-Marie Micombero, Ministry of Defense, 21-25 June 2004.
[5] Statement by the Rwandan delegate at the Workshop on Landmines in East Africa, the Great Lakes and the Horn of Africa held in Nairobi, Kenya, 2-4 March 2004, reported in ICRC Report on the Workshop, p. 12.
[6] Article 7 Report, 1 April 2004, covering the period April 2003-April 2004. It is less detailed than the previous two reports.
[7] Rwanda’s initial Article 7 report, due by 30 May 2001, was submitted on 4 September 2001, covering the period from 1 February 2001 to 31 August 2001. Its first update was submitted on 22 April 2003, covering the period May 2001 to April 2003. Rwanda submitted the voluntary Form J attachment with its Article 7 reports in 2003 and 2004, with information on mine action generally.
[8] Statement of Maj. Ferdinand Safari, Director of Operations and Training, Ministry of Defense, Fifth Meeting of States Parties, Bangkok, Thailand, 16 September 2003.
[9] Article 7 Reports, Form E, 4 September 2001 and 22 April 2003.
[10] See Landmine Monitor Report 1999, p. 162.
[11] Article 7 Report, Form B, 22 April 2003. The same language is repeated in Article 7 Report, Form B, 1 April 2004, and similar statements were made in interviews with Lt. Col. John Zigira, Coordinator, National Demining Office, Kigali, 29 October 2002, and with Charles Kayonga, Kigali, Army Chief of Staff, Kigali, 30 October 2002.
[12] Article 7 Report, Form D, 22 April 2003.
[13] Article 7 Report, Form D, 1 April 2004.
[14] Interview with Capt. Jean-Marie Micombero, Ministry of Defense, Geneva, 25 June 2004.
[15] Article 7 Report, Form B and C, 30 April 2003.
[16] Landmine Monitor Report 2002, pp. 197; Landmine Monitor Report 2001, pp. 132-134.
[17] The last allegation that Landmine Monitor is aware of is that, following killings that took place in Kisangani between 14 and 18 May 2002, the RCD-Goma rebels and Rwandan troops laid antipersonnel mines around a mass grave located close to Bangboka airport. Landmine Monitor was not able to confirm this allegation. Information provided to Landmine Monitor by a local NGO, 5 June 2002.
[18] Letter to Mary Wareham, Global Research Coordinator, Landmine Monitor from Zac Nsenga, Ambassador of Rwanda to the United States, 1 October 2004; Landmine Monitor Report 2003, pp. 409-410.
[19] Information given by MONUC on Radio Okapi, 14 March 2003; telephone interviews with Bernard Mbula Lombhe Musongela, Anaclet Timambwenda Bashara and Bishop Banga, Delegates of the Civil Society of Ituri, 25 March 2003; interview with Dieudonné Upira, representative of the NGO “Malaria Plus,” Kisangani, 20 March 2003; interviews with leaders of the Hema and Lendu communities, based in Kisangani, between January and March 2003. Several community leaders accused Rwanda and Uganda of providing arms, including antipersonnel mines, to different militias in the DRC, at the workshop “Reflection on the end of violence and the socio-economic reconstruction of Ituri,” Kisangani, 27-28 January 2004.
[20] Interview with UPC official requiring anonymity, Bunia, DRC, 27 January 2004. This high-ranking official stated that UPC forces received antipersonnel mines from Rwanda that were used to protect their positions against enemy ethnic militias. He said transfers took place as recently as August 2003.
[21] Statement by the President of the Civil Society of Ituri district, General Assembly of the Civil Society of Oriental Province, Kisangani, 3-8 February 2004.
[22] “Mines, fighters impeding UN efforts to investigate new Congo Fighting,” Associated Press, 14 June 2004; “DR Congo Army accuses insurgents of laying mines in Bukavu,” Angola Press, Kinshasa, 19 June 2004; “Rwanda-DR Congo border stays closed as fighting continues in east DRC,” Kigali, Agence France-Presse, 21 June 2004; “Guerre à l'Est: Kamanyola tombée entre les mains des forces gouvernementales: le Colonel Mutebusi en fuite au Rwanda,” www.digitalcongo.net, (accessed 22 June 2004); Philippe Bolopion, “ONU: le Rwanda a soutenu le rebelle Mutebutsi,” Radio France International, 16 July 2004; Colum Lynch, “UN Report denounces Rwanda, Support for Congo rebels is called violation of sanctions,” Washington Post, 17 July 2004.
[23] “UN looks into DR Congo clashes,” BBC, 15 June 2004; “DR Congo Army,” Angola Press, 19 June 2004.
[24] “Rapport du groupe d'experts sur l'embargo sur les armes dans l'Est du Congo,” UN Security Council, S/2004/551, 15 July 2004.
[25] Letter to Landmine Monitor from Zac Nsenga, Ambassador of Rwanda to the United States, 1 October 2004; “Third Special Report of the Secretary-General on MONUC in the DRC,” UNSC, S/2004/650, 16 August 2004; "Rwanda-DR Congo border stays closed as fighting continues in east DRC," Kigali, Agence France-Presse, 21 June 2004.
[26] Landmine Monitor Report 2003, pp. 409-410.
[27] Interview with Maj. Ferdinand Safari, Ministry of Defense, 27 September 2002; interview with Augustin Mukama, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 29 October 2002; interview with Charles Kayonga, Army Chief of Staff, 30 October 2002.
[28] Interview with Maj. Ferdinand Safari, Ministry of Defense, Bangkok, 17 September 2003.
[29] “UN names forces in struggle for Congo gold fields,” The Guardian, 4 December 2003; “VN rapport beschuldigt Kongolese oppositieleider van rebelliecomplot” (UN report accuses Congolese opposition leader of rebellion complot), De Morgen, 5 December 2003.
[30] “Security Council condemns incursions into Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo,” UN News Centre, 14 May 2004; “DRC. Ituri: covered in blood,” Human Rights Watch, July 2003; Alison Des Forges, “Congo: War is International, not Local,” Human Rights Watch, 8 July 2003; “Le Rwanda plante le décor d'une nouvelle guerre d'agression à l'est de la RDC,” Observatoire Gouvernance-Transparence, September 2003; “DRC and Rwanda to curb militias,” BBC News, 21 October 2003; “Democratic Republic of Congo. Ituri: a need for protection, a thirst for Justice,” Amnesty International, 21 October 2003, available at; “UN: Rwandese troepen actief in Congo,” De Standaard (Belgium), 21 October 2003; “Kinshasa, une ville minée,” CEAPPA (Centre Electronique d'Analyses Politiques et de Promotion des Affaires en Afrique Centrale et des Grands Lacs), 22 November 2003.
[31] “Security Council condemns incursions,” UN News Centre, 14 May 2004.
[32] “Rapport du groupe d'experts sur l'embargo sur les armes dans l'Est du Congo,” UNSC, S/2004/551, 15 July 2004, see: www.monuc.org/downloads/Rapport_embargo_armes_RDC_2004.pdf .
[33] Letter to Mary Wareham, Global Research Coordinator, Landmine Monitor from Zac Nsenga, Ambassador of Rwanda to the United States, 1 October 2004; “Third Special Report of the Secretary-General on MONUC in the DRC,” UNSC, S/2004/650, 16 August 2004; “Rwanda-DR Congo border stays closed as fighting continues in east DRC,” Kigali, Agence France-Presse, 21 June 2004.
[34] Letter to Mary Wareham, Global Research Coordinator, Landmine Monitor from Zac Nsenga, Ambassador of Rwanda to the United States, 1 October 2004.
[35] “Mine Action Assessment for Rwandan National Demining Office,” 2003; see also, Article 7 Report, Form J, 22 April 2003.
[36] Interview with Lt. Col. John Zigira, NDO, 29 October 2002; interview with Wayne Bellinger, Contractor, RONCO, Kigali, 30 October 2002. Landmine Monitor Report 2003, p. 410, referred to this a Level One Survey, but the US State Department indicates it is more properly called an assessment. Email from Deborah Netland, Program Manager, Office of Weapons Removal & Abatement, US Department of State (DOS), 2 December 2003.
[37] “Mine Action Assessment for Rwandan National Demining Office,” 2003, provided to Landmine Monitor (Marielle Hallez) by Jean Marie Micombero, Ministry of Defense, 20 July 2004.
[38] “Mine Action Assessment for Rwandan NDO, attachment Minefield summaries,” 2003.
[39] Article 7 Report, Form J, 22 April 2003.
[40] Article 7 Report, Form J, 1 April 2004. It is unclear how the reduction was achieved since the report also states that only 41,501 square meters of land were cleared.
[41] Ibid, Form C.
[42] “Minefields clearance report by detach from January 2003 to June 2004,” NDO, provided by Jean Marie Micombero, Ministry of Defense, 20 July 2004.
[43] Interview with Lt. Col. John Zigira, NDO, 29 October 2002; interview with Lt. André Kayumba, Head of Deminers, NDO, Kigali, 29 October 2002.
[44] Interviews with deminers, minefield in Byumba, 30 0ctober 2002.
[45] “Mine Action Assessment for Rwandan National Demining Office,” 2003.
[46] Interview with Lt. Col. John Zigira, NDO, 29 October 2002. The coordination unit is composed of a coordinator, a deputy-coordinator and support staff for administration, logistics, database, communication and mine risk education. The operational teams are composed of deminers, detectors, dog handlers, logistical and medical staff.
[47] “Mine Action Assessment for Rwandan National Demining Office,” 2003.
[48] Landmine Monitor Report 2001, p. 426.
[49] Interview with Lt. Col. John Zigira, NDO, 29 October 2002.
[50] Interview with Capt. Jean-Marie Micombero, Ministry of Defense, 25 June 2004.
[51] Interview with Lt. Col. John Zigira, NDO, 29 October 2002.
[52] “Mine Action Assessment for Rwandan NDO,” 2003.
[53] Ibid. The report of the technical survey provides statistical information per minefield, such as size in square meters, the level of vegetation, metal content in the ground, and an estimated time to clear, as well as indications on the type of affected land (farmer's land, forest or tourism related).
[54] NDO, “Minefields clearance report by detach from January 2003 to June 2004.”
[55] Article 7 Report, Form J, 1 April 2004.
[56] NDO, “Minefields clearance report by detach from January 2003 to June 2004.”
[57] Email from Deborah Netland, DOS, 2 December 2003; Radio Rwanda, 20 November 2003.
[58] Email from Maj. Ferdinand Safari, Ministry of Defense, 21 May 2004.
[59] “Mine Action Assessment for Rwandan NDO,” 2003.
[60] NDO, “Armed mines cleared during the period of September 1995 to May 2004.”
[61] Email from Maj. Ferdinand Safari, Ministry of Defense, 21 May 2004.
[62] Statement by Capt. Jean-Marie Micombero, Ministry of Defense, Standing Committee meetings, Geneva, 23 June 2004.
[63] Ibid.
[64] Email from Maj. Ferdinand Safari, Ministry of Defense, 21 May 2004.
[65] Rwanda National Demining Office, Progress Report, 2 April 2000; Article 7 Report, Form I, 4 September 2001. The 1995 casualty figure is from: Email from Maj. Ferdinand Safari, Ministry of Defense, 21 May 2004.
[66] Interview with Lt. Col. John Zigira, NDO, 29 October 2002; interview with Charles Kayonga, Army Chief of Staff, 30 October 2002.
[67] Statement by Capt. Jean-Marie Micombero, Ministry of Defense, 23 June 2004.
[68] Interview with Alexis Gakwaya, Head of Administration, NDO, and several deminers, Byumba, 31 October 2002.
[69] The incident took place in Byumba, 31 October 2002.
[70] Email from Jean Marie Micombero, Ministry of Defense, 20 July 2004.
[71] Resource Mobilization Contact Group, “A review of resources to achieve the Convention's aims,” presented by Norway, at the Standing Committee on General Status and Operation of the Convention, Geneva, 25 June 2004.
[72] Email to Landmine Monitor (HRW) from John Stevens, Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement, US DOS, 23 September 2004. This was originally reported as $375,000. US DOS, “Congressional Budget Justifications: Foreign Operations, Fiscal Year 2005, Nonproliferation, Antiterrorism, Demining, and Related programs (NADR) appropriation,” 10 February 2004, pp. 154-158.
[73] US DOS, “Budget proposal, request by region, Africa, Rwanda,” February 2004, p. 275.
[74] US DOS, “To Walk the Earth in Safety,” Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, Washington, April 1999, p. 14. See also Landmine Monitor Report 1999, p.164 and Landmine Monitor Report 2000, p. 92.
[75] See Landmine Monitor Report 2001, pp. 135-136; US DOC, “To Walk the Earth,” November 2001, p. 11, and US DOS, “To Walk the Earth,” September 2002.
[76] Mine Action Investments Database.
[77] Landmine Monitor Report 2000, p. 92.
[78] Unless otherwise stated all information in this section is from NDO database tables including “count of deaths,” “number of major injuries,” and “number of minor injuries,” provided in email from Jean Marie Micombero, Ministry of Defense, 20 July 2004.
[79] Statement by Capt. Jean-Marie Micombero, Ministry of Defense, Standing Committee on Mine Clearance, Mine Risk Education, and Mine Action Technologies, Geneva, 22 June 2004.
[80] Interview with Lt. Col. John Zigira, NDO, 29 October 2002; interview with Alexis Gakwaya, NDO, 31 October 2002.
[81] The information provided to Landmine Monitor cited a total of 657 casualties, with 234 seriously injured. However, in adding the separate figures provided, Landmine Monitor found the actual total was 236 seriously injured, and thus 659 overall.
[82] Government of Rwanda, “An Approach to the Poverty Reduction Action Plan for Rwanda: The Interim PRSP,” 30 November 2000, p. 34.
[83] Interview with Lt. Col. John Zigira, NDO, 29 October 2002.
[84] Statement by Ferdinand Safari, Standing Committee on Victim Assistance and Socio-Economic Reintegration, Geneva, 10 February 2004.
[85] Email from Sylvain Mbarubukeye, Rehabilitation Project Coordinator, HI Rwanda, 27 May 2004; interview with Fidèle Butera, Head, Prosthesis and Rehabilitation Service, Kigali Hospital, 28 January 2004.
[86] Interview with Fidèle Butera, Kigali Hospital, Kigali, 13 March 2003; response to LM questionnaire by HI, Rwanda, 7 March 2003.
[87] Email from Hélène Pouget, Coordinator Rehabilitation Program, HI, 23 July 2002.
[88] Email from Sylvain Mbarubukeye, HI, 27 May 2004; response to LM questionnaire by Handicap International, Rwanda, 7 March 2003; Landmine Monitor Report 2002, p. 427; Landmine Monitor Report 2001, p. 137.
[89] Interview with Déogratias Rwabudandi, Brothers of Charity, Home of the Virgin of the Poor, Gatagara, 2 February 2004; Presentation by Rwanda, Standing Committee on Victim Assistance, 4 February 2003.
[90] MJOLP, Newsletter No.26, September 2003; MJOLP, Newsletter No.27, March 2004; interview with Mr. Gatera, Head, Mulindi Japan One Love Project, Kigali, 26 January 2004; Presentation by Rwanda, Standing Committee on Victim Assistance, 4 February 2003; Landmine Monitor Report 2001, p. 137; Mulindi Japan One Love Project brochure provided to Landmine Monitor in December 2002.
[91] Interview with Zacharie Nkundiye, Head, General Association of the Handicapped in Rwanda, Kigali, 1 April 2004.
[92] Interview with Déogratias Rwabudandi, Home of the Virgin of the Poor, 2 February 2004.
[93] Article 7 Report, Form J, 1 April 2004; Article 7 Report, Form J, 22 April 2003.
[94] Interview with Valentine Kilibazayire, Head of the Rehabilitation Department, Ministry of Health, Kigali, 20 March 2003; Ministry of Health, “National Rehabilitation Plan for the Physically Disabled,” October 2002, pp. 12-17; interview with Déo Butera, Program Director, HI, Kigali, 29 October 2002.
[95] Interview with Capt. Jean-Marie Micombero, Ministry of Defense, 25 June 2004; interview with Valentine Kilibazayire, Ministry of Health, 28 January 2004.
[96] Article 76 of the Constitution, 4 May 2003; Statement by Rwanda, Standing Committee on Victim Assistance, 10 February 2004.