For the people of Bogotá, Colombia, the sound of landmine explosions has become all too familiar. Although the capital city is far removed from the intense conflict zones of the past, the threat of landmines remains deeply embedded in the consciousness of Colombians.
This grim reality is a consequence of Colombia’s internal conflict, which has lasted more than 60 years, involving various guerrilla groups, most notably the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).
Colombia’s rural areas have been particularly affected, with thousands of landmines planted in villages, farmlands, and forests during the decades-long conflict. These mines were often laid without proper maps or records, turning entire regions into perilous landscapes. While the Colombian government and international organizations have made progress in de-mining efforts, the scars of war continue to manifest in the form of lost limbs and lives.
Despite international agreements like the Ottawa Treaty, which banned the use of anti-personnel landmines, Colombia remains one of many countries still grappling with the aftermath of landmine contamination. Angola on the other hand remains one of the most heavily mined countries in the world, with over 73 million square meters of contaminated land and more than 1,100 known and suspected minefields. Like Angola, Colombia’s de-mining efforts have been slow, hindered by funding shortages and the sheer scale of the problem.
In both countries, the danger is not only to human life but to economic development. Angola’s landmines, a legacy of its war for independence from Portugal and subsequent civil war, continue to impact livelihoods and agricultural productivity. Similarly, in Colombia, landmines have stunted rural development, hindering the ability of families to return to their homes or farm their land safely.
The de-mining process is long and expensive, and both countries rely heavily on international aid and donor support. Without sustained attention from the global community, the goal of becoming landmine-free remains a distant dream. In Angola, international funding for demining decreased by over 80% between 2005 and 2017, exacerbating the internal financing challenges posed by falling prices for Angola’s key export commodities.
While the government of Angola was initially expected to complete demining by December 2013 under the Ottawa Treaty, this deadline has been extended to 2028, illustrating the scale of the challenge. This situation mirrors Colombia’s own struggle to rid its land of mines. Both nations will require continued international support to achieve their demining goals.
The failure of arms control to prevent human tragedy underscores the need for stricter regulations and international cooperation. If the international community does not strengthen oversight of arms trading, the lingering consequences of these weapons will continue to destroy lives for generations.
Odenge, an expert on Central and Southern African affairs writes from the Central Africa Republic.
