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Table of Contents
Country Reports
ZAMBIA , Landmine Monitor Report 2005

Zambia

Key developments since May 2004: Zambia’s domestic implementation legislation, enacted in December 2003, became effective in August 2004. The legislation formalized the establishment of the Zambia Anti-Personnel Mine Action Center (ZAMAC), replacing the Zambian Mine Action Center (ZMAC). Zambia completed destruction of its stockpile of 3,345 antipersonnel mines in October 2004 and is retaining a further 3,346 mines for training. Zambia developed a five-year plan for mine action (2005-2009), although the objective is to be mine-free by 2007. In 2004, 7,780 square meters were demined, in one of the 41 mine/UXO contaminated areas. With the end of US assistance, Zambia planned to create a trust fund for humanitarian demining.

Mine Ban Policy

The Republic of Zambia signed the Mine Ban Treaty on 12 December 1997, ratified on 23 February 2001, and became a State Party on 1 August 2001. Zambia enacted comprehensive domestic implementation legislation on 12 December 2003, which includes penal sanctions.[1] The legislation also formalized the establishment of the Zambia Anti-Personnel Mine Action Center (ZAMAC), which serves as the secretariat of the National Committee on Anti-Personnel Landmines, chaired by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Zambia submitted its third Article 7 transparency report on 30 March 2005, which covers calendar year 2004.[2]

Zambia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kalombo T. Mwansa, led the country’s delegation to the First Review Conference held in Nairobi in November-December 2004. The delegation also included the Deputy Minister of Defense. Foreign Minister Mwansa announced the completion of Zambia’s stockpile destruction, well in advance of its August 2005 deadline.[3 ] He also urged other governments to follow Zambia’s example by mainstreaming mine action into national development plans.

Zambia participated in the June 2005 intersessional Standing Committee meetings, where it provided an update on problems, plans, progress and priorities in its demining effort.

Zambia 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, although its national implementation legislation directly covers many of these issues. The legislation is explicit about a prohibition on antivehicle mines with sensitive fuzes or antihandling devices which function as antipersonnel mines. It states that “transfer” includes “the transit of anti-personnel mines into, out of, or through Zambia by any means,” and says that members of the Armed Forces can participate in operations or other military activities with the armed forces of a State not party to the Convention, “Provided that the operation, exercise or military activity is not in contravention of the Convention and that such participation does not amount to active assistance in any activity prohibited by the Convention and this Act.”[4 ]

Zambia has not produced or exported antipersonnel mines. Mines were apparently last used in Zambia by Angolan government and UNITA forces in 1999 and 2000.

Stockpile Destruction

Zambia stated in 2001 that it would retain its entire stockpile of 6,691 antipersonnel mines for training purposes.[5 ] This position changed in May 2003.[6 ] Zambia destroyed a total of 3,345 antipersonnel mines from 18-20 October 2004 at the Nanking training camp at Mikango Barracks in Lusaka. There was a ceremony for the initial destruction attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and other senior government officials, diplomatic representatives from Canada, France, Germany, Namibia, South Africa and the United States, and the media.[7 ] The mines were destroyed by open detonation. Zambia did not report on applicable safety standards or applicable environmental standards.[8 ]

The remaining 3,346 antipersonnel mines have been retained for training.[9 ] Zambian officers said that the mines would be used for training purposes until they were depleted and the country declared mine-free.[10 ] Zambia has not yet reported in any detail on the intended purposes and actual uses of its retained mines—a step agreed to by States Parties in the Nairobi Action Plan that emerged from the First Review Conference.

Landmine and UXO Problem

The mine and unexploded ordnance (UXO) contamination in Zambia, which is believed to affect six of the nine provinces, is the result of armed opposition forces from neighboring countries having used Zambian territory in the past as a safe haven.[11 ] As a result, Zambia has a significant “nuisance” landmine problem in 41 locations, according to a general survey by the Zambian Mine Action Center (ZMAC).[12 ] Zambia’s Article 7 report for 2004 listed 20 locations and identified each as being contaminated, variously, by antipersonnel mines, antivehicle mines and UXO.[13 ]

ZMAC conducted a nationwide survey to identify areas contaminated by mines and UXO in 2003-2004.[14 ] This identified 41 general areas requiring detailed follow-up assessment and clearance. Key affected areas include Lusaka Province (Luangwa, Chongwe and Chikumbi), Western Province (Mangongo, Sijembela and Lyangati),[15 ]Central Province (Mkushi, Serenje and Mboroma), Eastern Province (Nyimba, Katete and Petauke) and Southern Province (Siavonga, Kalomo, Siamaponda and Chipepo).[16 ]

During 2004, field officers from ZAMAC identified and delineated three new mine-affected areas in Hibamenda, Mapatizya and Jimbe. These areas are littered with UXO and are thought to probably also contain antipersonnel mines. A general survey team was due to be sent to the areas in June-July 2005.[17 ] Hibamenda and Mapatizya are located in Zambia’s Southern Province, while Jimbe is located in the northwest close to the border with Angola. It is believed that antipersonnel mines were emplaced by UNITA forces during the civil war in Angola, while those in Southern Province were left in place by former Rhodesian soldiers to protect their rear lines.[18]

ZAMAC has continued to react to reports and requests for surveys and has committed to “removing any [antipersonnel mines] ...found, depending on funding.” According to Matomola Singongi, former acting director of ZAMAC, “Economic consideration, gravity of the problem and availability of resources, are some of the criteria used in determining priorities.”[19]

Mine Action Program

There is an established mine action program in Zambia. The National Committee on Anti-Personnel Landmines (NCAL) is composed of the ministries of home affairs, foreign affairs, health, agriculture and cooperatives, local government, community development and social services, labor and social security, and finance and national development planning. NCAL replaced the National Task Force on Landmines when parliament passed the Prohibition of Anti-Personnel Mines Act 2003 on 11 December 2003.[20 ]

Zambia Anti-Personnel Mine Action Center (ZAMAC) is the implementing agency for all mine-related activities and serves as the secretariat of NCAL. Zambia also works in cooperation with Namibia, Angola and Mozambique on common border areas by sharing GIS information and maps of emplaced mines.[21 ] In 2004-2005, ZAMAC had only seven permanent staff due to budgetary constraints.

The United States has provided training and equipment to ZAMAC, assisting the creation of a humanitarian demining unit from Zambian Army engineer resources to work under ZAMAC auspices.[22 ] The US hired the commercial demining company RONCO to develop Zambian military clearance capacity. Vehicles, personal protective equipment, metal detectors and other humanitarian demining equipment were handed over to ZAMAC at the expiry of the contract in January 2005.[23 ] About 46 personnel from different government departments were trained in mine risk education, survey and demining techniques. ZAMAC uses the Information Management System for Mine Action (IMSMA).[24]

In 2004, Zambia prepared a five-year plan of action (2005-2009) for presentation to the First Review Conference of the Mine Ban Treaty. It had four objectives: to clear the 41 identified areas of mine and UXO contamination by the end of 2007; to implement an IMSMA-derived mine awareness information campaign and limited marking operation by 2005; to expand the mine risk education program currently in place in Zambia; to implement a prosthetic limb replacement program for Zambian mine survivors who have no prosthesis, or rudimentary or ill-fitting prostheses.[25]

ZAMAC has announced that it is “in the process of tying the demining process to the development program, in line with the Poverty Reduction Strategy Program co-sponsored by the International Monetary Fund/World Bank and Zambian Government.” The aim to improve the socioeconomic conditions of disadvantaged people, including mine-affected communities: “... in other words, humanitarian demining will be driven by developmental needs.”[26 ]

Mine/UXO Clearance

Article 5 of the Mine Ban Treaty commits Zambia to destroy all antipersonnel mines from mined areas under its jurisdiction or control as soon as possible, but not later than 1 August 2011.

According to a report submitted in preparation for the First Review Conference, the low level of mine contamination and the speed with which national resources cleared the Gwembe-Tonga road in 2002 indicates that Zambia could be cleared of mines and UXO in a relatively short period of time. If sufficient support is provided, Zambia expects to be able to declare itself mine-free by the end of 2007.[27 ] During 2004, 7,780 square meters of land were cleared by manual methods in the Mwapula-Munyeta area of Lusaka province, according to Zambia’s Article 7 report. The number of mines destroyed in the process is not reported.[28 ]

Mine Risk Education

As reported by the Landmine Monitor previously, mine risk education (MRE) has not been a major component of mine action in Zambia. The Article 7 report for 2004 does not include Form I on which States Parties report measures taken to protect the population, such as MRE and fencing and marking of mined and mine-suspected areas.

The Acting Director of ZAMAC stated that his staff assisted in the provision of limited MRE training for the residents of refugee camps on the Angolan border during 2004. Training was undertaken over a period of weeks in the major camps of Nangweshi and Mayukwayukwa, with ZAMAC staff providing training to “key Angolan communicators,” who in turn were expected to provide MRE refresher orientation to those departing for Angola.[29 ]

Funding and Assistance

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs provided partial funding for ZAMAC in 2004, partnered by the US which provided in-kind assistance from April 2004 to January 2005 when this assistance was concluded. As reported by Landmine Monitor previously, the Zambian parliament voted some US$700,000 for ZMAC activities.[30 ]

In November 2004, ZAMAC announced that it would establish a trust fund for humanitarian demining.[31 ]

Landmine Casualties

In January 2004, two boys were injured by an antipersonnel mine in Chiengi district in Northern province.[32 ] No other mine-related incidents were reported between February and the end of June 2005.[33 ] One mine incident was reported in 2003; a man was injured in Western province.[34 ] The total number of mine casualties in Zambia is not known. ZAMAC reports that 200 mine casualties over the past five years have been recorded.[35 ]

Survivor Assistance and Disability Policy and Practice

The needs of landmine survivors, and other persons with disabilities, are addressed within the existing public healthcare infrastructure; however, there is reportedly a lack of resources and expertise.[36 ] In 2004, many health facilities received funds for hospital infrastructure development and the acquisition of equipment from the International Monetary Fund and World Bank under the Highly Indebted Poor Countries Initiative.[37 ] In 2005, Zambia attained Highly Indebted Poor Country Status, a framework that will see debt cancellation and the channeling of funds to social programs, including health.[38]

ZAMAC has no specific programs to address the needs of landmine survivors; however, UNICEF has a proposal to develop both capacity within ZAMAC and a program to ensure the rehabilitation and socioeconomic reintegration of mine/UXO survivors and their families in six mine-affected provinces.[39 ] In 2004, Zambia’s five-year plan of action (2005–2009) included an objective to implement a prosthetic limb replacement program for Zambian mine survivors who have no prosthesis, or rudimentary or ill-fitting prostheses.[40 ] The government plans to mainstream mine survivor assistance programs into the national development program.[41]

Zambia also supports large numbers of refugees from Angola, including an estimated 800 with lower limb amputations. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) continues its support to the Physiotherapy Department at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka, to address the needs of disabled Angolan refugees and Zambians. In 2004, the department assisted 184 people with physical rehabilitation services, produced 125 prostheses (including 51 for mine survivors) and 94 orthoses, and distributed 70 crutches. In addition, ICRC supported the renovation of the physiotherapy department and purchased new beds and equipment, and constructed a hostel nearby to accommodate people transported from the refugee settlements while undergoing rehabilitation; 59 refugees were transported in 2004. ICRC also conducted a five-day seminar for 16 prosthetic technicians and two physiotherapists from UTH.[42 ]

Services for persons with disabilities, including landmine survivors, are also available from the Cheshire Homes, Ministry of Community Development and Social Welfare (MCDSW) and Ministry of Health. However, MCDSW reportedly lacks resources, and in February 2004 parliament called for increased funding.[43]

The Persons with Disabilities Act 1996 protects the rights of persons with disabilities against discrimination and in the areas of employment and education. The Act established the Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities to implement national activities under the Ministry of Community Development and Social Welfare.[44 ]

The Zambia Federation for the Disabled serves as an umbrella for national NGOs active in the field of disability and rehabilitation.


[1] Act No. 16 of 2003, short-title: “Prohibition of Anti-Personnel Mines Act, 2003,” date of assent 11 December 2003, enacted by the Parliament of Zambia on 12 December 2003. Penal sanctions include a fine “not exceeding two hundred thousand penalty units” or imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years, or both. Part III, 9 (2). The act “became effective” in August 2004. Article 7 Report, Form A, 30 March 2005.

[2] Previous Article 7 reports were submitted on 9 February 2004 (for calendar year 2003) and 31 August 2001 (for the period from 1 April to 31 August 2001). This leaves September 2001-December 2002 unreported.

[3 ]Statement by Dr. Kalombo T. Mwansa, Minister of Foreign Affairs, during the High Level Segment, Nairobi Summit on a Mine-Free World (First Review Conference), 2-3 December 2004.

[4 ]“Prohibition of Anti-Personnel Mines Act, 2003,” Part I, 2 and Part III, 17, (1). See also, Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p. 875.

[5 ]The 6,691 mines included the following: 535 ALPER 120 (China); 571 AUPS 24 (Italy); 220 POMZ-2 (Russia); 676 MAUS 58 (Russia); 860 T69 (China); 1,225 T59 (Russia); 1,804 T58 (China); 226 T VARS 40 (Italy); 574 VARS 50 (Italy). Article 7 Report, Form B, 31 August 2001.

[6 ]In May 2003, Zambia said it would destroy some of the retained mines. In February 2004, it reported that it would destroy 3,345 of the mines, or half the stock. Destruction was originally planned for 1 June 2004, but delayed. See Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p. 875, for more details.

[7 ]“Zambia destroys over 3,000 Landmines,” Times of Zambia, 20 October 2004. A total of 630 mines were destroyed on 18 October, 1,107 on 19 October, and 1,608 on 20 October.

[8 ]Article 7 Report, Form F, 30 March 2005.

[9 ]Article 7 Report, Forms B and D, 30 March 2005. The retained mines include: 267 ALPER 120 (China); 286 AUPS 24 (Italy); 110 POMZ-2 (Russia); 338 MAUS (Russia); 430 T69 (China); 613 T59 (Russia/Iraq); 902 T58 (China); 113 T VARS 40 (Italy); 287 VARS 50 (Italy).

[10 ]“Zambia destroys over 3,000 Landmines,” Times of Zambia, 20 October 2004. The article cites Lt. Col. Gilford Kaimpa and Maj. Joachim Mwenda of the Zambian Army.

[11 ]Zambia, “Preparing for the First Review Conference, Communicating Elements of Plans to implement Article 5,” (undated).

[12 ]ZMAC, “General Survey Report 2003/2004,” Lusaka. Zambia Anti-Personnel Mine Action Center (ZAMAC) appears to have replaced the Zambian Mine Action Center (ZMAC), which was established in August 2001 to prioritize and coordinate mine action in the country. See Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p. 877, for reference to ZMAC. Throughout this report ZAMAC will be used for activities from August 2004 onwards.

[13 ]Article 7 Report, Form C, 30 March 2005.

[14 ]Zambia, “Preparing for the First Review Conference, Communicating Elements of Plans to implement Article 5,” (undated).

[15 ]In 2003, a senior government official, the Permanent Secretary of Zambia’s Western Province, Maswabi Maimbolwa, called upon ZMAC to demine the Zambia/Angola border in order to help control livestock diseases, such as the contagious bovine plural pneumonia, across the Cattle Cordon Line. “De-mine Zambia Angola Border-Western Province PS,” Times of Zambia, 17 June 2003.

[16 ]ZMAC, “General Survey Report 2003/2004,” Lusaka.

[17 ]Interview with Joseph Simoonga, Acting Director, ZAMAC, Lusaka, 26 May 2005.

[18] Interview with Matomola Singongi, Former Acting Director, ZAMAC, First Review Conference, Nairobi, 2 December 2004.

[19] Statement by Matomola Singongi, Former Acting Director, ZAMAC, at launch of Landmine Monitor Report 2004, ZAMAC, Lusaka, 21 November 2004.

[20 ]Zambia, “Preparing for the First Review Conference, Communicating Elements of Plans to implement Article 5,” undated.

[21 ]Interview with Matomola Singongi, ZAMAC, First Review Conference, Nairobi, 2 December 2004.

[22 ]Zambia, “Preparing for the First Review Conference, Communicating Elements of Plans to implement Article 5,” undated.

[23 ]Email to Landmine Monitor (MAC) from H. Murphey McCloy, Jr., Senior Demining Advisor, Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, US Department of State, 19 September 2005.

[24] Statement Matomola Singongi, ZAMAC, at launch of Landmine Monitor Report 2004, ZAMAC, Lusaka, 21 November 2004.

[25] Zambia, “Preparing for the First Review Conference, Communicating Elements of Plans to implement Article 5,” undated.

[26 ]“Zambia Mine Action Centre at work,” Times of Zambia, 9 November 2004.

[27 ]Zambia, “Preparing for the First Review Conference, Communicating Elements of Plans to implement Article 5,” undated.

[28 ]Article 7 Report, Form F, 30 March 2005.

[29 ]Interview with Joseph Simoonga, ZAMAC, Lusaka, 26 May 2005.

[30 ]See Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p. 878.

[31 ]Statement by Matomola Singongi, ZAMAC, at launch of Landmine Monitor Report 2004, ZAMAC, Lusaka, 21 November 2004.

[32 ]Interview with Peter M. Chibesa, Mine Victim Assistance Officer, ZMAC, Lusaka, 28 April 2004.

[33 ]Landmine Monitor asked for confirmation of this information from UNICEF and UN Zambia, but received no response.

[34 ]Interview with Peter M. Chibesa, Mine Victim Assistance Officer, ZAMAC, Lusaka, 28 April 2004.

[35 ]“Situation Report on Zambia’s Implementation of the Anti-personnel Landmines Convention of the Standing Committees,” Standing Committee on Mine Clearance, Mine Risk Education and Mine Action Technologies, Geneva, 15 June 2005.

[36 ]See Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p. 879.

[37 ]Government of Zambia, “Activity Based Annual Budget 2004,” Head 46/02, (for period 1 April 2004 to 31 March 2005).

[38] “Zambia attains HIPC completion point,” Times of Zambia, 7 April 2005.

[39 ]UNMAS, “Portfolio of Mine Action Projects 2005,” p. 396, www.mineaction.org.

[40 ]Zambia, “Preparing for the First Review Conference, Communicating Elements of Plans to implement Article 5,” undated.

[41] “Situation Report on Zambia’s Implementation of the Anti-personnel Landmines Convention of the Standing Committees,” Standing Committee on Mine Clearance, Mine Risk Education and Mine Action Technologies, Geneva, 15 June 2005.

[42 ]Interview with Francis Mwila, Chief Physiotherapist, University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, 4 April 2005; ICRC Physical Rehabilitation Program, “Annual Report 2004,” Geneva, July 2005, p. 22; ICRC, “Annual Report 2004,” Geneva, June 2005, p. 125.

[43] “Government is encouraging street kids,” Times of Zambia, 25 February 2004; see also Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p. 879.

[44 ]The Persons with Disabilities Act 1996, www.dredf.org/international/zamb2.html.