Summary
Mines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) have existed in Mauritania since the Western Sahara conflict, affecting 310,000 square kilometres and 294,000 inhabitants. Since 1978, mines have killed 349 people, injured 243, killed 580 animals and destroyed 35 vehicles. Mauritania completed a Landmine Impact Survey (LIS) in 2006 to determine the magnitude and socioeconomic impacts of mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) on nomadic and urban communities in Daklet Nouadhibou, Tiriz Zemour and Adrar. The final drafting of the LIS report is underway. A total of 117 communities were visited, of which 60 were confirmed as affected by mines. Preliminary results, based on the application of the LIS protocols, indicate there are 3 highly affected and 23 moderately affected communities, and 34 with fewer impacts. Out of the communities facing mine threats, 93 percent are affected by a single suspected hazardous area. The total contaminated area is estimated at 76 square kilometres. The survey found 14 recent victims, 86 percent of whom were male. The predominant activity at the time of the accident was herding animals.
Small-scale demining and mine awareness activities have fallen short of the need for more systematic operations and wider campaigns. Limited resources have been a major constraint.
Several factors underscore the urgency of mine action:
- The new Nouakchott-Nouadhibou road, which is increasing economic trade and tourism;
- A proposed Algeria-Mauritania road to increase trade;
- A peace plan proposed in 2003 for the Western Sahara;
- The movement of local nomads throughout the mine-affected regions;
- Continued interest in mineral exploration and extraction; and
- Anti-personnel mine-ban treaty obligations that require Mauritania to remove all anti-personnel landmines by 2011.
Each year, UN entities, nongovernmental organizations, national and local authorities and donors collaborate to assemble a national portfolio of mine action project proposals that together reflect the strategic response developed in the field to all aspects of the problem of landmines and explosive remnants of war. A Country Portfolio Coordinator, usually a representative of a UN agency or a national authority, coordinates meetings where all mine action actors agree on a set of projects and priorities and determine funding needs. The proposals in each country's portfolio are assembled with those of other participating countries and published jointly by the UN Mine Action Service, the UN Development Programme and UNICEF in an annual "Portfolio of Mine Action Projects." This publication serves as a tool for collaborative resource mobilization, coordination and planning of mine action activities. The Mauritania Country Portfolio Team's funding appeal for mine action projects in 2007 totals US $4,020,000.
Scope of the Problem
The landmine/ERW problem stems from the 1975-1978 conflict. The three mine-affected regions in the north—Nouadhibou, Tiris Zemmour and Adrar—cover 310,000 square kilometres and are home to 294,000 people.
Sweden funded an LIS, with technical support from the Survey Action Centre (SAC) and quality assurance from the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS). The LIS enabled the development of a gender-sensitive national mine action strategy, and is helping Mauritania meet mine-ban treaty obligations and support annual work plans.
From 2007 to 2009, a number of activities took place, including with funding from France, Spain and Sweden. There were technical surveys in 15 communities, and clearance in four high-risk communities, with 16.8 million square metres released. Medical care and microfinance projects were provided to 30 survivors. Mauritania annually provides about $1 million for deminers' salaries, equipment and infrastructure.
In 2004, Canada helped destroy 5,000 anti-personnel landmines in Mauritania's stockpile.
Beyond reducing casualty rates, mine action can bolster economic growth, particularly through more options for mineral extraction, tourism and livestock rearing. Action is urgent for a variety of reasons, including the road recently opened between Morocco and Mauritania, trade and tourism. Nomads are moving through the minefields for grazing. Exploration for oil, gas and minerals could be scaled up. Another factor is that Mauritania faces the anti-personnel mine-ban treaty deadline in 2011.
Coordination and Consultation
In March 2003, the UN Resident Coordinator convened representatives from the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the embassies of Spain and the United States to consider a funding request by the National Humanitarian Demining Office (NHDO). Since the meeting, the office has become the main intermediary between the Government and development partners. Mauritania has developed institutional arrangements to meet its international obligations under the anti-personnel mine ban treaty and other instruments that regulate mines and ERW. In 2002 The Government established the National Commission on the Ottawa Convention on Anti-Personnel Mines and the PNDHD, which is now under the Ministry of Interior and Decentralization. The PNDHD is the coordination body for all mine action in Mauritania.
Strategy
The Mine Action Portfolio Country Team’s strategy is to jointly execute the PNDHD action plan. All activities and projects support the plan, which originally covered 2008 to 2010, but has been continuously extended due to the lack of funds.
Based on the certified LIS, the Strategy of Completion will be revised in 2010. It will focus on clearing minefields contaminated only by anti-personnel mines.
While Mauritania’s armed forces have 120 deminers who should be able to respond to the mine and UXO problem, the Government does not have the resources for the maintenance, fuel and salaries to deploy these troops. Government capacities and resources should be assessed annually to determine if the armed forces can fill gaps or if development cooperation resources should go towards deploying commercial companies or non-governmental organizations to clear mined areas.
In 2010, funding requested through the Portfolio of Mine Action Projects will help Mauritania to:
- Accelerate demining to encourage economic activity;
- Improve security for inhabitants in danger zones and reduce the number of accidents;
- Provide mine risk education for shepherds through community networks;
- Create a database and system for following up on landmine incidents;
- Increase the capacity of the NHDO; and
- Increase demining operations.
Date Anti-Personnel Mine-Ban Treaty signed: Dec 03, 1997
Date of Anti-Personnel Mine-Ban Treaty ratification or accession: Jul 21, 2000
Consents to be bound by Protocol II of Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons: N/A
Consents to be bound by Amended Protocol II of Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons: N/A
Date signed Protocol V of Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons: N/A