Table of Contents

Country Reports

LM Report 2004

Senegal

Key developments since May 2003: A national Mine Action Plan has been drafted, including the creation of a National Mine Action Center, and is awaiting approval. In the second half of 2003, the Senegalese Army began mine clearance activities to allow displaced persons and refugees to return to their homes. The UN Mine Action Service conducted a mission to Senegal in March 2004 and concluded that the mine and UXO problem is "a clear impediment to resettlement of IDPs and development of agricultural resources." In 2003, Handicap International agents conducted 5,321 mine risk education sessions, and 322 volunteers carried out 5,366 sessions. In June 2004, Senegal reported that a domestic implementation law is being prepared. Senegal has not been transparent about an incident in which the Senegalese Navy reportedly intercepted a ship in its territorial waters in 2001 destined for Angola and seized antipersonnel mines, which it reportedly then destroyed in April 2003. In 2003 the number of casualties continued to decline. However, in the first half of 2004 the number of casualties increased, some of which were reported in areas declared cleared by the Army.

Key developments since 1999: Senegal became a State Party on 1 March 1999. It has stated that the existing penal code provides sanctions for violations of the Mine Ban Treaty, but also indicated in June 2004 that new implementation legislation will be prepared. Senegal reported that it has no stockpile of antipersonnel mines, even for training purposes. In August 1999, a National Commission was created to oversee implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty. In 1999 and 2000, there were allegations that MFDC rebels were using antipersonnel mines in Casamance Province. Systematic mine clearance operations by the Army began in 2003. From the beginning of Handicap International’s mine risk education program in 1999 until July 2003, a total of 19,821 village mine risk education sessions took place, in 899 out of 1,272 villages. Handicap International maintains a database of mine and UXO casualties in Casamance, recording 651 mine/UXO casualties since 1996.

Mine Ban Policy

After participating fully in the Ottawa Process, Senegal signed the Mine Ban Treaty on 3 December 1997. It ratified the treaty on 24 September 1998, and became a State Party on 1 March 1999. Since August 1999, the National Commission on the Implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty has been responsible for the mine issue.^[1] There currently is no specific implementation legislation, but violations of Mine Ban Treaty provisions are said to be sanctioned by national constitutional law and the 2001 penal code.^[2] In its June 2004 Article 7 report, Senegal stated that the National Commission had decided to draw up new landmine legislation.^[3] According to government officials on 22 June 2004, "A new law will be introduced into the adoption circuit without delay."^[4]

Senegal deposited its most recent annual Article 7 report on 2 June 2004.^[5] It has submitted four reports previously.^[6]

Senegal has attended all five Meetings of States Parties, and most intersessional meetings since their inception in 1999, including in February and June 2004. Senegal attended a workshop on Implementation of the Ottawa Treaty in West Africa, organized by Burkina Faso for ECOWAS member states with the support of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), in Ouagadougou, on 28-29 January 2004. It has attended other regional landmine meetings in Bamako, Mali in February 2001, and in Abuja, Nigeria, in October 2001. It also participated in the International Colloquium of the National Structures in Charge of the Mine Issue, organized by France’s CNEMA (Commission Nationale pour l'Elimination des Mines Antipersonnel), in Paris, on 12-13 March 2004.

On 8 December 2003, Senegal voted in favor of UN General Assembly resolution 58/53 supporting universalization and implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty. It has voted in favor of all annual pro-ban UNGA resolutions since 1996.

Senegal 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. Thus, Senegal 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. However, in September 2002, Senegal stated that it would not allow transit or stockpiling of antipersonnel mines on its territory.^[7]

Senegal is party to Amended Protocol II of the Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW). It participated in the November 2003 annual meeting of States Parties in Geneva.

NGOs have been active on the landmine issue in Senegal. Witness and RADDHO (Rencontre Africaine pour la Défense des Droits de l'Homme) are completing a documentary entitled "Against the Tide of History: Anti-personnel landmines in the Casamance,” which illustrates the urgent need for assistance for the psychosocial rehabilitation of landmine victims in the Casamance.^[8] On 6 July 2004, ASVM (Association Sénégalaise de Victimes de Mines) organized several events, including a roundtable entitled, "For a Mine-Free Casamance."

Production, Transfer, Stockpiling and Destruction

In its Article 7 reports, Senegal has stated that it never produced, possessed or stockpiled mines, even for training purposes. Yet in 1998 members of its engineering corps asserted that the Senegalese Army possessed mines of Warsaw Pact origin.^[9]

In 2003, Colonel Ousmane Sarr, the focal point for the mine issue within the Senegalese Army, told Landmine Monitor that the Senegalese navy had intercepted a ship in its territorial waters in 2001 destined for Angola, and seized antipersonnel mines.^[10] In an interview in January 2004, Col. Sarr stated that the mines had been destroyed in April 2003, at his request, at the artillery battalion in Thiès, 70 kilometers from Dakar.^[11] In follow-up discussions about the issue in Geneva in February 2004, Lt. Col. Moctar Ndoye of the Ministry of Defense said that detailed information on the origin of the ship and on the number and types of mines seized would be given in Senegal's 2004 annual Article 7 update.^[12] However, that report gives no information about the mines or their destruction.

In a subsequent interview in Geneva in June 2004, Lt. Col. Ndoye, together with officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, strongly denied any ship with mines on board had ever been intercepted, noting that "after the publication of that information in Landmine Monitor an investigation was conducted and no records appear to exist at the Maritime Forces, which would have been the case if the allegations were true."^[13]

However, Landmine Monitor has seen the official records on the events, and was given photographs of the destruction of the mines.^[14] When shown the pictures in Geneva, the officials said, "They could have been from any destruction following mine clearance."^[15] However, mines cleared in the Casamance region are not transported to Thiès, near the capital, some 350 kilometers away, but are destroyed on the spot. Furthermore, the destruction took place in April 2003, while mine clearance by the Army only began in the second half of 2003. Senegal should provide comprehensive information to States Parties regarding this issue in a transparent manner.

Use

Senegalese authorities claim never to have used antipersonnel mines in Senegal or outside the country.^[16] However, it appears certain that Senegalese forces used antipersonnel mines in Guinea-Bissau in 1998, to support government troops against a self-proclaimed military junta.^[17] Such use would have occurred after Senegal signed the Mine Ban Treaty, but before its entry into force for the government.^[18] While mines were used in fighting between the rebel Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance (MFDC) and government forces, it is not clear if government forces used mines inside the country after signing the Mine Ban Treaty.^[19]

In the Banjul Declaration of 26 December 1999, the Senegalese Army and the MFDC committed to not use antipersonnel landmines.^[20] However Landmine Monitor reported significant use of antipersonnel and antivehicle mines by MFDC rebels in Casamance up until 2001.^[21] Rebels reportedly also used improvised explosive devices.^[22]

In 1999 the government stated the MFDC possessed mines of Belgian, Portuguese, Spanish, Russian and Chinese origin. It was reported that mines had been available through the black market in Guinea-Bissau and from Gambia.^[23]

There is also some reported use of landmines by common criminals such as cattle thieves and "coupeurs de routes" (literally "road-cutters" -- people blocking the road to attack and steal from those who happen to pass by).^[24]

Landmine Problem

The landmine problem is largely the result of fighting in the Casamance region between the Army and the MFDC, particularly after 1997. MFDC has reportedly agreed to reveal information on mined areas as soon as peace talks are finalized.^[25]

Although the exact scope of the mine problem remains unknown, the military estimates that about 1,400 square kilometers of land are mined or suspected to be mined: 80 percent in the Ziguinchor region of Casamance and 20 percent in its Kolda region.^[26] Approximately 250,000 people are exposed to the danger of mines, representing 38 percent of the population.^[27] According to Handicap International’s mine clearance expert, the mine problem in Senegal can be characterized as "few mines, but a big impact."^[28]

Mines can be found in almost all villages along the border with Guinea-Bissau; between the Casamance river and the border in the area between Oussouye and Samine Escale, including Ziguinchor, Niaguia and Niaguiss; in Kolda region in the perimeter between the villages of Saré Yoba-Medina El Hadj and Salikénié, specifically along the routes heading south; and finally along the border with the Gambia and the routes between Bignona-Bounkiling and Bignona-Séléti.^[29] A distinction can be made between minefields with moderate density and areas with scattered mines. The Niaguiss sector, Niassya and Loudia-Ouloff south of Ziguinchor, constitutes an area with moderately dense minefields. The north of Sindian, south of Goudomp, south of Samine and the sectors of Saré Tening and Saré Boubou contain scattered mines.^[30] During the rainy season mines often move because of the sandy soil. Witnesses have noted that mines have appeared on the surface, then moved toward the side of the roads.^[31]

The mine problem seriously affects the economic development of the Casamance, having an impact on agriculture, fishing, transport of goods and services, and tourism.^[32] It also has an impact on trade between Senegal and Guinea-Bissau.^[33] It is estimated that landmines kill 20 livestock per week on average, which is a major problem, impoverishing not only the owners of the cattle, but the whole Casamance region, which used to be able to feed the rest of the country.^[34]

In a study conducted by Handicap International in 2002 in the Diattacounda district of Casamance, 70 percent of those interviewed had indicated that their movement was restricted because of landmines.^[35]

Over the course of the conflict, several thousand people were internally displaced, and thousands more fled to the Gambia and Guinea-Bissau. By the end of 2003, advances in the peace process, including the death of rebel leader Sidi Badj and calls for peace from leaders of the MFDC at their annual conference in October 2003, had already inspired some 3,000 refugees to return home.^[36] According to the Secretary General of a local NGO, the Association des Jeunes Agriculteurs de la Casamance (AJAC APREN), another 10,000 to 15,000 people are expected to return to their homes in 2004.^[37]

As reported in January 2004 by Refugees International, “Many villages and their surrounding areas are full of landmines, making safe resettlement in some areas impossible.”^[38] Nonetheless AJAC, financed by the USAID Casamance Recovery Project, rehabilitated hundreds of houses without prior mine clearance. As a result, an increase in the number of mine incidents is considered more than likely.^[39] Asked about this by Landmine Monitor, AJAC confirmed having rehabilitated over 100 houses in Mpack in the Niaguiss region and 490 houses in Bounaf, along with 60 water wells, 18 classrooms and five health posts between 2002 and 2003. AJAC denies that the sites were not secured before the rehabilitation, noting "the authorization for their intervention has been given by the government after they secured the zone."^[40] However, in Mpack, three casualties occurred during reconstruction activities in April 2004 and one in May 2004.^[41] Also, on 27 April 2004 a woman lost her leg when she stepped on a mine outside the village of Mpack when she was collecting cashew nuts.^[42] That zone had been declared cleared by the Army.^[43]

Children are reportedly the most affected by the Casamance conflict. They are underfed because agricultural land is mined and access to the bush to gather food is restricted. Also, landmines reduce the space available to children and slow down their psychological development due to the absence of free movement to play.^[44]

In 2004, a number of Senegalese human rights organizations, including the Senegalese section of Amnesty International, criticized the lack of marking and fencing of mined and mine-suspected areas and the failure to prohibit access to the areas, in spite of the state's Mine Ban Treaty obligation to do so.^[45]

Survey and Assessment

A UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) mission visited Senegal from 22-29 March 2004. The final report was unavailable, but according to a one-page summary sent to Landmine Monitor, Senegal's mine and UXO problem is "a clear impediment to resettlement of IDPs and development of agricultural resources."^[46] The mission recommended that the government and the UN, under the auspices of the UN Development Programme (UNDP), should immediately establish a mine action program that should "aim to be modest at the start with a focus on problem identification through a LIS (Landmine Impact Survey) by Handicap International and a limited number of clearance sections." ^[47] The mission opines that emphasis should be on national capacity building and that the program should come under a civilian body with policy and executive functions separated.^[48]

Handicap International undertook an assessment in October 2004, with the financial support from USAID, the European Union and the UNDP.^[49]

Mine Clearance, Coordination and Planning

Humanitarian mine clearance was considered impossible without a peace agreement. However, in 2001 a “Program for the Revival of the Economic and Social Activities in Casamance (Programme de Relance des Activités Economiques et Sociales en Casamance-PRAESC)” was developed. Mine clearance, under the coordination of the European Union and UNDP, is an important component of PRAESC. In December 2003, the 2001 working document was updated, and in January 2004, a second report that specifically relates to mine clearance was completed.^[50]

PRAESC calls for “a rapid reintegration of the Casamance population in a favorable economic and social environment and preparing for a sustainable long term development respecting the particularities of the region."^[51] It has four components: mine clearance; demobilization, reinsertion and reintegration; local development; and reconstruction and rehabilitation of non-community infrastructure.^[52] The report states that urgent humanitarian demining is a prerequisite for all socio-economic reactivation of the mine-affected regions. It also recommends the creation of a "national operational mine clearance center,” together with the "drafting of a list of priorities, the conception of a general mine clearance plan and resource mobilization, and a call for specialized enterprises."^[53] On 17 March 2004, Handicap International received agreement for future accreditation to conduct humanitarian mine clearance in the country.^[54]

The Senegalese Army has developed a plan, with the support of the French military, to clear the Casamance region in three phases over a five-year period.^[55] The annual budget for that plan would be CFA 60 million (US$113,207).^[56] Priority for mine clearance would be to ensure safe agricultural production and distribution in the Casamance region.^[57] In June 2004, Senegal announced that it had drafted a national mine action plan, which included a Mine Action Center in Ziguinchor.^[58] Formal adoption of the plan by the government is pending.^[59]

In the second half of 2003, the Army started some clearance operations in the Ziguinchor and Naguis areas, to allow displaced persons and refugees to go back to their homes. The localities of Boutoute, Djibanar, Gouraf, Kaguil, Mandina Makange, Mandina Thierno, Oupountoum, Soucouta, Toubacouta and a part of M'Pack have been cleared. Over 3.2 kilometers of the Mandina Macange-Mandina Diola road have been cleared, as well as the road between Oumpoutoun and Madina Thierno. A total of 607 mines were destroyed. Only St-Louis Mancagne, the sector of Barakas and a part of M'Pack were left to clear.^[60]

Since January 2004, three mine clearance teams of the National Army have been deployed in the sectors of Oussouye, Niassya and Adéane. As of March 2004, they conducted mine clearance in and around the villages of Babandinka (destroying 35 mines), Basséré (50), Bofa (80), Boutoupa (49), Dar Es Salam (49), Efock (105), Etafoune (8), Fangott (16), Guidel (35), Kaguit (149), Kouring (14), Mandina Mangangne (1), Niadiou (14), Ponceau (4), Santhiaba Manjack (76), Sindone (5) and Soukouta (28).^[61] Thus, the total number of mines cleared was 718.^[62] On 22 March 2004, it was announced that three more mine clearance teams were being deployed.^[63]

There is concern about the Army’s capacity for systematic mine clearance consistent with international standards.^[64] In 2003, over a three-month period, two mine incidents occurred in areas that had been demined by the Army.^[65] Also in the first months of 2004, a number of casualties occurred after the military carried out clearance operations: in March two casualties were reported in Mandina Macange; in April two casualties occurred in Gouraf, one in Mandina Macange and three in Mpack, and another one in Mpack in May 2004.^[66] Four out of the fourteen reported casualties occurred while people were engaged in reconstruction of their houses or villages.^[67]

In 2004, Senegalese human rights organizations criticized the lack of humanitarian mine clearance, and insisted it needed to take place before any return of refugees. Some members of the Senegalese Association of Mine Victims (ASVM) decided not to return to any areas not systematically declared clear of mines.^[68]

On 1 April 2004, the wing of the MFDC which is reportedly opposed to the peace process, attacked Senegalese government forces who were clearing landmines in the village of Guidel, killing three soldiers and injuring another five.^[69]

Between 5 May and 13 June 2003, three Senegalese soldiers were trained at the regional mine clearance training center in Ouidah, Benin.^[70]

Mine Risk Education

Handicap International continues to be the main provider of mine risk education (MRE) in Casamance through its Mine Risk Education Program (PEPAM).^[71] It provides MRE to people in affected areas through community and school activities. For community MRE activities, PEPAM works directly through agents or through community-level volunteers trained in MRE by the agents. In fifteen communities the volunteers are part of a larger "mine committee," which includes the village chief or other respected resource people. The committee’s tasks include mine risk education and minefield marking.^[72]

In 2003, 11 agents conducted 5,321 mine risk education sessions, trained 15 new volunteers and re-trained another 39, and 322 volunteers carried out 5,366 sessions.^[73] Since the beginning of the program in 1999 until July 2003, a total of 19,821 village mine risk education sessions took place,^[74] in 899 out of 1,272 villages.^[75] MRE tools included image boxes, 200,000 folders, 3,000 posters and 60 banners. HI also provides MRE twice a week through two radio stations in Ziguinchor, and once a week on one radio station in Kolda.^[76] HI plans to focus on the eight most mine-affected communities (Kabrousse, Loudia, Ouolof, Nyassia, Niaguis, Goudomp, Diattacounda and Tanaff).^[77]

In 2002, 17 professional theater productions on the mine issue took place in the suburbs of Ziguinchor and the villages of Niaguis.^[78] In collaboration with the Ministry of National Education, HI in 2002 trained 1,362 teachers in 288 schools to integrate MRE into the curriculum of all schools in Casamance.^[79] In 2003, no new schoolteachers were trained.^[80]

In July 2002, HI launched an evaluation of the effects of its mine risk education program in two districts of Casamance (Tendouck and Diattacounda). Based on the KAPB (Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs and Practices) method, the evaluation concluded that there is a need for more MRE, marking and clearance. When individuals were asked how they would respond when a child brought them an unexploded device, 53 percent described risky behavior. When asked how to recognize a mined area, 69 percent provided incomplete or wrong answers.^[81] It remains unclear if or how this information has been used to modify MRE programs in the country.

Mine Action Funding

In 2003, the Army budget for mine clearance was CFA 60 million (US$113,207).^[82] In 2003, France provided €114,000 ($128,991) to Handicap International for mine risk education.^[83] HI reported its total budget for 2003 for mine risk education and victim assistance was €681,386 ($770,988).^[84] The United States reports it provided $500,000 in 2002 and 2003 for victim assistance and mine risk education.^[85]

In 2002, the Army budget was CFA 6 million for the purchase of mine clearance equipment.^[86] In 2002, France reported contributing $206,187 for mine-related activities in Senegal.^[87] HI’s budget for 2002 for MRE was $130,000.^[88]

In 2001, HI Casamance’s budget was CFA 100 million.^[89] In 1999, HI received €300,000 from ECHO and FF 2 million from French Cooperation.^[90]

Landmine Casualties

In 2003, 19 new mine/UXO casualties (four killed and 15 injured) were recorded by Handicap International in the regions of Kolda and Ziguinchor. This represents a continuing downward trend from 78 new mine/UXO casualties reported in 1999 to 48 new casualties in 2002.^[91]

Casualties continue to be reported in 2004. Through June, 15 people were injured in mine/UXO incidents; nine suffered amputations. Four casualties occurred during reconstruction activities of houses or villages.^[92] In addition, five soldiers were injured when their vehicle hit a landmine at the end of March 2004.^[93]

Handicap International maintains a database of mine and UXO casualties in Casamance, recording 651 mine/UXO casualties since 1996, including 147 killed and 504 injured. In addition, one mine casualty was identified from 1988, and five from 1993.^[94] It is believed that the reported figures on casualties may not reflect the true number of landmine/UXO casualties in the region because of the influence of Islamic practice (burials take place as soon as possible after a death) and the absence of death registries.^[95] In 2002, Senegal reported that 89 antipersonnel mines, 59 antivehicle mines, one “mixed” mine and four other types of ordnance had been victim-activated in the period between 1 January 2001 and 1 April 2002.^[96] It could be supposed that this caused more than the 56 casualties reported in 2001. NGOs and other mine survivor initiatives in the region encourage the local population to report landmine incidents.

Landmine/UXO Casualties in Casamance – 1988 to *30 June 2004^[97]

Year	Total	Killed	Injured	Unknown	Men	Women	Child	Unknown
1988+1993	6			6				6
1996-1998	370	99	271		233	83	54
1999	78	8	70		70	8	0
2000	65	22	43		36	23	6
2001	56	8	48		50	3	3
2002	48	6	42		40	5	3
2003	19	4	15		17	2	0
2004*	15	0	15		9	6	0
Total	657	147	504	6	455	130	66	6

Survivor Assistance

Due to a lack of national resources, assistance to mine survivors is limited.^[98] Local human rights organizations acknowledge that Senegal does not have the means to support all mine survivors, but several criticize the fact that the government has no civilian survivor assistance program for which it could ask international support.^[99]

The Ziguinchor regional hospital is the best-equipped institution in the mine-affected area; however, it reportedly lacks resources to adequately treat mine casualties.^[100]

Military mine casualties are sent to the military hospital in Dakar, after receiving first aid.^[101] The Senegalese Army has a mobile emergency medical service in Ziguinchor for military personnel providing first aid on the spot and evacuation by military plane of the most heavily injured. The two regional hospitals of Ziguinchor and Kolda lack mobile units and ambulances, limiting first aid interventions to the scene of the incident; however, both regional capitals have an airport to facilitate emergency evacuations to Dakar. Outside the towns of Ziguinchor and Kolda, the first aid and evacuation infrastructure is almost non-existent.^[102]

Prosthetics and rehabilitation services are available in Ziguinchor and the Centre d’Appareillage orthopédique (Center of Orthopedic Appliances) in Dakar. In Ziguinchor, the regional hospital has an orthopedic department, directed by an orthopedic surgeon, and supported by Handicap International. The department has facilities for surgery, rehabilitation, an orthopedic workshop, and a mobile orthopedic workshop. The rehabilitation center treats about 350 people a month but reportedly lacks trained personnel. The prosthetic center fitted 410 orthopedic devices from 2002 to June 2003. It also has a mobile orthopedic workshop which reached 202 people between November 2002 and July 2003.^[1]3 In 2003, at least five mine survivors were assisted.^[104] The cost of orthopedic devices is often beyond the capacity of many mine survivors from rural areas.^[105]

In Kolda, a new regional hospital center was inaugurated in May 2002 with facilities for prosthetics and rehabilitation. As of June 2003, the prosthetics and rehabilitation department had produced 98 devices and performed 511 consultations and 3,338 physiotherapy sessions; it was not reported if any mine survivors benefited.^[106] The orthopedic unit was created with the support of USAID. However, the hospital is reportedly run down and poorly equipped; it has one general surgeon.^[107]

HI supported the decentralization of the orthopedic surgery and physical rehabilitation services at the Ziguinchor hospital and the creation of two regional prosthetic centers in Bignona and Oussouye, the two chief towns of the departments, in 2002. HI also supports the ongoing training of orthopedic technicians and physiotherapists. HI’s socio-economic reintegration program for persons with disabilities and their families includes income generation activities, sports, and support for associations of the disabled. In 2003, 18 people with a disability, including four mine survivors, received micro-credits for income generating activities, bringing the total number of people assisted since 2001 to 47, including eight mine survivors. In 2002, it paid the costs of prostheses, crutches, wheelchairs or tricycles for 50 mine survivors, and directly assisted 21 people with vocational training and equipment to start small businesses.^[108] In October 2002, HI started a psychosocial support program for war victims. In 2003, it assisted about 60 people including ten mine survivors. Services are provided free of charge. The program was due to end in June 2004.^[109]

From 1999 until February 2001, HI financed the KAGAMEN victim transit center in Ziguinchor, and provided survivors with prostheses and financial support for income generation activities. The program has now ceased activities.^[110]

Metallic Carpentry of Ziguinchor, a private enterprise, produces and maintains wheelchairs with the technical and financial support of HI. Wheelchairs are also adapted for sporting activities.^[111]

In 2003, forty people from various organizations received training in psychosocial support techniques, and specialists from the Fann hospital in Dakar spent four months in the region assisting those traumatized by the conflict.^[112]

The Senegalese Association of Mine Victims was created on 24 June 1999. Its membership includes 160 mine survivors from Ziguinchor and Kolda. The association works to empower mine survivors and the families of those killed by mines to facilitate their social and economic reintegration. Women, who have been abandoned by their husbands because of their disability, receive special attention.^[113] The association has received support from the World Food Program, HI, and local NGOs Rencontre Africaine des Droits de l'Homme (African Meeting of Human Rights), Conseil des Organisations Non-Gouvernementals d'Appui au Développement (CONGAG-Council of NGOs for Development Support), and AMA (Agence des Musulmans - Agency of Muslims) but it lacks resources to adequately assist its members. On 6 July 2004, the association organized a day of action and seminar to raise awareness on the mine problem in Casamance and the needs of mine survivors and the families of those killed.^[114]

The Center for Child and Family Guidance (Centre de Guidance Infantile et Familiale), an NGO based in Casamance, provided psychosocial support for child victims of war and their families, including landmine survivors. The center organized sessions in schools on children's rights, in which child mine survivors shared their experiences. The center has been supported by OXFAM-UK and CONGAD. In 2002, however, the program was threatened with closure following a decrease in financial support.^[115]

Senegal’s Article 7 report for 2003 included information on mine casualties and priorities for assistance in Form I.^[116]

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

Disability Policy and Practice

There is no specific legislation protecting the rights of persons with disabilities in Senegal. A national policy has been elaborated which includes measures to enhance the socio-economic integration of persons with disabilities.^[117] However, it would appear that no progress has been made on the implementation of the policy or any national law protecting the disabled in Senegal.

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[1] Landmine Monitor Report 2000, p. 96.
[2] Article 7 Report, Form A, 2 June 2004. Articles 407, 408 and 409 of the penal code are cited as relevant sanctions for violations of the Treaty.
[3] Article 7 Report, Form A, 2 June 2004.
[4] Interview with delegation of Senegal to intersessional Standing Committee meetings (Lt. Col. Moctar Ndoye, Armed Forces; Abdoul Aziz Ndiaye, Director International Organizations; and Talla Fall, Counselor, Ministry of Foreign Affairs), Geneva, 22 June 2004.
[5] It covers the period 1 January-31 December 2003.
[6] Senegal submitted its first Article 7 Report on 1 September 1999 (for 1 March-30 August 1999), and updates on 27 March 2001 (for calendar year 2000), 22 April 2002 (for 1 January 2001-1 April 2002), 6 May 2003 (for calendar year 2002), and 2 June 2004 for calendar year 2003.
[7] Statement by Senegal, Fourth Meeting of States Parties, Geneva, 18 September 2002, reported in Landmine Monitor Report 2003, p. 416.
[8] Email to ICBL (Jackie Hansen) from Hakima Abass, Program Associate for Africa and the Middle East, Casamance Project, WITNESS/RADDHO, 9 February 2004.
[9] Handicap International, “The Impact of Landmines in Casamance/Senegal,” Exploratory Mission Report, August 1998, reported in Landmine Monitor Report 1999, p. 76.
[10] Interview with Col. Ousmane Sarr, Commander and Director of Military Engineering, Ministry of Defense, Dakar, 22 March 2003, reported in Landmine Monitor Report 2003, p. 416.
[11] Interview with Col. Ousmane Sarr, Ministry of Defense, Dakar, 20 January 2004.
[12] Interview with Lt. Col. Moctar Ndoye, Armed Forces, Geneva, 10 February 2004.
[13] Interview with Senegal delegation, Geneva, 22 June 2004.
[14] The information was provided to Landmine Monitor by Col. Ousmane Sarr, Ministry of Defense, January 2004.
[15] Interview with Senegal delegation, Geneva, 22 June 2004.
[16] Landmine Monitor Report 1999, p. 78; Landmine Monitor Report 2000, p. 99; Landmine Monitor Report 2001, p. 138.
[17] Landmine Monitor Report 1999, pp. 78-79.
[18] Although the treaty had not entered into force for Senegal, the use of mines by a signatory can be judged a breach of its international obligations under Article 18 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties.
[19] Landmine Monitor Report 1999, pp. 77-78.
[20] Ibid., pp. 76-77; Landmine Monitor Report 2000, pp. 98-99; Landmine Monitor Report 2001, pp. 138-139.
[21] Landmine Monitor Report 1999, pp. 76-77; Landmine Monitor Report 2001, p. 430.
[22] Ministry of Economics and Finances, “Programme de Relance des Activités Economiques et Sociales en Casamance, Révision 2003-2004,” December 2003, p. 25.
[23] Landmine Monitor Report 1999, p. 76. See also, "Des mines à profusion," Sud Quotidien, 17 December 2003.
[24] “Des mines à profusion,” Sud Quotidien, 17 December 2003.
[25] Manuel Gonzal, “Commentaires de la CT Déminage sur le document de la PRAESC.” Document provided to Landmine Monitor on 22 March 2004.
[26] Ministry of Economics, “Programme en Casamance,” December 2003, p. 24. In its 2002 Article 7 Report, the government for the first time identified the types of mines found in Senegal: EXPAL, PMN, TM46, PRB ENCRIER, and K 35 BG; the EXPAL mine is hard to detect.
[27] Ibid.
[28] Telephone interview with Manuel Gonzal, Senior Technical Advisor, Handicap International, 27 April 2004.
[29] Ministry of Economics, “Programme en Casamance,” December 2003, p. 24.
[30] Response to Landmine Monitor Questionnaire by Col. Ousmane Sarr, Commander and Director of the Engineers and Army Infrastructure, Ministry of Defense, 29 March 2004.
[31] Manuel Gonzal, “Commentaires de la CT Déminage.”
[32] Interview with Jean-Claude Bassene, President, and Bakary Diédhiou, Secretary, Senegalese Association of Mine Victims, Ziguinchor, 12 March 2003; Landmine Monitor Report 2002, p. 431.
[33] Ministry of Economics, “Programme en Casamance,” December 2003, p. 24.
[34] Interview with Manuel Gonzal, HI, in an article by Madior Fall, “Une victime et 20 têtes de bétail toutes les semaines,” Sud Quotidien, 17 December 2003.
[35] Handicap International, “PEPAM en Casamance, Sénégal. Evaluation des effets,” September 2002.
[36] Veronica Zeitlin, “December 2003: RI Mission in Casamance,” Bulletin of Refugees International.
[37] “Senegal: Time to support returns of the displaced in Casamance,” Bulletin of Refugees International, 8 January 2004.
[38] Ibid.
[39] Telephone interview with Manuel Gonzal, HI, 22 March 2004.
[40] Interview with Landing Diediou, President, AJAC, Ziguinchor, 30 March 2004.
[41] “Mine/UXO victims in January, March, April and May 2004.” Tables provided to Landmine Monitor by HI Ziguinchor, 3 July 2004.
[42] “Woman loses leg after stepping on landmine in southern Senegal: hospital,” AFP, 28 April 2004.
[43] Email from Handicap International Ziguinchor, 29 April 2004.
[44] Centre de Guidance Infantile et Familiale, “L'Impact psycho-affectif de la guerre en Casamance,” Ziguinchor, 2001.
[45] “Dossier Victimes de Mines Antipersonnel, les oubliées de la paix en Casamance, application de la convention anti-mine: l'Etat du Sénégal pris en faute,” Walf Fadjri, 6 April 2004.
[46] Email to ICBL (Susan Walker) from Jacqueline Seck, Treaty Implementation Officer, UNMAS, 10 May 2004.
[47] Ibid.
[48] Ibid.
[49] Telephone interview with Manuel Gonzal, HI, 27 April 2004; email from Anne Villeneuve, HI, 5 October 2004.
[50] The PRAESC working group is made up of members of the Ministry of Economics and Finances, the Ministry of Equipment and Transport, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Agriculture and Breeding, and representatives of the European Union, UNDP, USAID and the World Bank. See Ministry of Economics, “Programme en Casamance,” December 2003, p. 12. The mine clearance report is entitled “Comments on the PRAESC Document,” by Manuel Gonzal, Handicap International.
[51] Ministry of Economics, “Programme en Casamance,” December 2003, p. 20.
[52] Ibid., p. 22. Reintegration refers to not only former combatants, but as the document says “the transition of groups having become vulnerable because of the war (ex-combatants, displaced, refugees, etc.), towards a stable and promising civil live.”
[53] Ibid, p. 32.
[54] Telehone interview with Manuel Gonzal, HI, 7 April 2004; interview with Abdoul Aziz Ndiaye, Director, International Organizations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Geneva, 23 June 2004.
[55] Interview with Col. Ousmane Sarr, Ministry of Defense, 22 March 2003, reported in Landmine Monitor 2003, p. 417.
[56] Correction of the figure published in Landmine Monitor Report 2003, p. 417, which was CFA 600 million (US$973,080). This figure is calculated using the average exchange rate for 2003 (US$1= CFA 530).
[57] Response to Landmine Monitor Questionnaire by Col. Ousmane Sarr, Commander and Director of the Engineers and Army Infrastructure, Ministry of Defense, 27 March 2003.
[58] Statement by Senegal, Standing Committee on Mine Clearance, Mine Risk Education and Mine Action Technologies, Geneva, 21 June 2004. See also, Article 7 Report, Form A, 2 June 2004.
[59] Interview with Abdoul Aziz Ndiaye, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 23 June 2004.
[60] Response by Ministry of Defense, 29 March 2004.
[61] Ibid.
[62] In its Article 7 Report, Form F2, of 2 June 2004, Senegal also reported that between 1996 and 2002, the Army had cleared and destroyed about 400 mines discovered during patrols or by villagers.
[63] Response by Ministry of Defense, 29 March 2004.
[64] Manuel Gonzal, “Commentaires de la CT Déminage.”
[65] Ibid.
[66] “Mine/UXO victims in 2004,” provided by HI, 5 July 2004; “Dossier Victimes de Mines Antipersonnel, les oubliées de la paix en Casamance : ces armes qui barrent la route du retour aux réfugiés,” by Mamadou Pape Mane, Walf Fadjri, 14 April 2004.
[67] “Mine/UXO victims in 2004,” provided by HI, 5 July 2004.
[68] “Dossier Victimes de Mines Antipersonnel,” Walf Fadjri, 6 April, 2004.
[69] “Three soldiers killed and five injured in ambush in Senegal: Army,” Agence France-Presse, 2 April 2004; “Attackers kill three soldiers in southern Senegal,” Reuters News, 2 April 2004; “Après la mort de trois soldats dans une embuscade, l'Abbé Diamacoune Senghor à Dakar depuis hier,” Sud Quotidien, 3 April 2004; "New Casamance Rebel Violence in Senegal," WMRC Daily Analysis, by Olly Owen, 5 April 2004; “Trois militaires tués en Casamance,” Reuters, 2 April 2004; “Trois militaires sénégalais tués, cinq blessés en Casamance(armée),” Agence France-Presse, 2 April 2004.
[70] Information document on the Benin Mine Clearance Training Center, provided to Landmine Monitor by Thomas Adoumasse, Deputy Director, Department of International Organizations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at the intersessional Standing Committee meetings in Geneva, February 2004.
[71] Handicap International, “Rapport final narratif du programme Amélioration de la prise en charge des personnes handicappées par mines ou autres et mise en place d'activités anti-mines en Casamance,” October 2003, p. 36. PEPAM aims “to reduce mine incidents, to prepare for future marking and clearance, and to increase the knowledge on the mine issue of several institutions in the region.”
[72] Handicap International, “Rapport final narratif du programme Amélioration de la prise en charge des personnes handicappées par mines ou autres et mise en place d'activités anti-mines en Casamance,” October 2003, p. 41.
[73] Activities took place in Kabrousse, Loudia Ouoloff, Nyassia, Ziguinchor, Niaguis, Goudomp, Diattacounda, Tanaff, Bounkiling, Tanghory, Tendouck, Sindian and Diouloulou.
[74] HI, “Rapport final Casamance,” October 2003, p. 36.
[75] Email sent to Landmine Monitor (Boubine Touré) by HI, 21 April 2004.
[76] HI, “PEPAM en Casamance,” September 2002.
[77] HI, “Rapport final Casamance,” October 2003, p. 53.
[78] Ibid., p. 39.
[79] Interview with Doudou Fall, HI, 13 March 2003. HI, “Rapport final Casamance,” October 2003, p. 42.
[80] Email from Handicap International, 21 April 2004.
[81] HI, “PEPAM en Casamance,” September 2002.
[82] Response by Ministry of Defense, 29 March 2004.
[83] Article 7 Report, Form D, 11 May 2004; emails from Amb. Gérard Chesnel, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of France, 1 March and 10 June 2004.
[84] Emails from Anne Villeneuve, HI, 16 July 2004 and 27 August 2004. Donors included USAID, Foreign Affairs France, and Federation Nationale des Combattants Prisonniers de Guerre et Combattants d’Algerie (Tunisie, Maroc).
[85] Mine Action Investments Database.
[86] Response by Ministry of Defense, 29 March 2004.
[87] Mine Action Investments Database.
[88] Landmine Monitor Report 2003, p. 418.
[89] Email from Cathy Badonnel, MRE Coordination, HI, Lyon, 4 July 2002. Donors included ECHO and USAID.
[90] Landmine Monitor Report 2000, p. 100.
[91] “Victimes de l'année 2003.” Data provided by Manuel Gonzal, HI, Ziguinchor, 22 March 2004.
[92] “Mine/UXO victims in 2004,” provided by HI, 5 July 2004.
[93] “Three soldiers killed,” IRIN, 2 April 2004.
[94] Article 7, Form I, 2 June 2004; “Mine/UXO victims in 2004,” provided by HI, 5 July 2004.
[95] HI, “Les Victimes de Mines en Casamance,” November 2000, p. 21.
[96] Article 7 Report, Form C, 22 April 2002.
[97] Article 7, Form I, 2 June 2004; “Mine/UXO victims in 2004,” provided by HI, 5 July 2004.
[98] Interview with the Director of Ziguinchor Regional Hospital, Ziguinchor, March 2000.
[99] “Dossier Victimes de Mines Antipersonnel, les oubliées de la paix en Casamance,” Walf Fadjri, 5 April 2004.
[100] Presentation by Senegal, Standing Committee on Victim Assistance and Socio-Economic Reintegration, Geneva, 10 February 2004.
[101] Interview with Léon Sagna, Physiotherapist, Interim Director, Regional Hospital, Ziguinchor, 17 March 2003.
[102] Ministry of Economics, “Programme en Casamance,” December 2003, p. 29.
[1]03 HI, “Rapport final Casamance,” October 2003, pp. 15-17.
[104] Interview with Léon Sagna, Regional Hospital, Ziguinchor, 30 March 2004.
[105] HI, “Rapport final Casamance,” October 2003, p. 18.
[106] Ibid., p. 17.
[107] Ministry of Economics, “Programme en Casamance,” December 2003, p. 29.
[108] Interview with Sophie Wyseur Gaye, Coordinator, Handicap International, Ziguinchor, 18 March 2003; email from Petra Schroeter, Handicap International, 11 July 2003; HI, “Rapport final Casamance,” October 2003, pp. 23-35; Email from Philippe Martinez, Coordinator, HI Casamance, 10 September 2004
[109] Response to Questionnaire by Landing Badji, Coordinator-Psychosocial Program, Handicap International, Ziguinchor, 12 March 2004.
[110] Telephone interview with Sophie Wyseur-Gaye, Program Coordinator, Handicap International, Ziguinchor, 2 May 2002; email from Sophie Wyseur-Gaye, 8 May 2002; interview with Sophie Wyseur-Gaye, Ziguinchor, 15 May 2002.
[111] HI, “Rapport final Casamance,” October 2003, p. 13.
[112] Presentation by Senegal, Standing Committee on Victim Assistance, 10 February 2004.
[113] Interview with Senegalese Association of Mine Victims, 12 March 2003.
[114] The Landmine Monitor researcher represented the ICBL at the event.
[115] Interview with Emile Diémé, Center for Child and Family Guidance, Ziguinchor, 12 March 2003.
[116] Article 7 Report, Form I, 2 June 2004; and attachment “Problemes, Plans, Progres, Priorites.”
[117] Handicap International, “Landmine Victim Assistance: World Report 2002,” Lyon, December 2002, p. 125.