Peace was formally declared in 1992, but not before an estimated one million people had lost their lives in the fighting, and a further five million had been displaced.
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Close to 171,000 landmines were removed, according to the Halo Trust, a British charity that led the clearance.
On the spot where the last known landmine was destroyed by the side of a railway line, I found fresh sprigs of grass poking up through the fertile soil, in what is rich sugar cane growing country. “Ridding our country of landmines was tremendously hard , but the bravery and determination of our demining teams proves to the world that it is possible for countries to become mine free”.
In a traditionally poor country, eliminating the mine menace will also help spur development in an economy that has seen growth rates of 8%, propelled by huge coal and gas deposits being tapped by foreign investors. Communities could now cultivate crops and graze livestock safely, Halo said.
Halo said the mine clearance had helped Mozambique develop its infrastructure, access vital commodities, increase tourism and attract global investment. HALO has employed more than 1,600 Mozambican men and women in demining since 1993. “HALO is proud to have been part of such a powerful legacy and hopes today’s news provides the momentum to strive for a mine free world by 2025″.
You don’t forget the sight of someone freshly injured from an anti-personnel land mine blast.
“This is a proud day for Mozambique”.
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The demining process began in 1993 shortly after the civil war ended and since 2000 over 214,000 mines had been cleared, said Alberto Augusto, director of the National Institute of Demining.
