Algeria destroys the last of its landmines

Map of Algeria courtesy of Wikipedia

The North African country of Algeria has taken its Mine Ban Treaty obligations a step further by destroying nearly 6,000 anti-personnel landmines that it had retained for training purposes.

This means that the country – which signed the Mine Ban Treaty back in 1997 – is now free of these types of weapons.

The destruction of the remaining mines took place on September 18 as the treaty commemorated 20 years since its adoption.

Lieutenant General Ahmed Gaid Slalah Vice Minister of National Defence, Abdelkader Messahel Minister of Foreign Affairs of Algeria, Tayeb Zitouni Minister of Moudjahidine, led the ceremony where the last 5,970 anti-personnel mines were destroyed. 

“In three decades, almost nine million mines were detected and destroyed and 62,421 hectares of agricultural and pastoral lands cleared and released. Our hope is to see the fight of the international community against anti-personnel mines fully implemented by 2025,” said the vice minister of national defence. Landmines in Algeria have claimed 7,300 casualties.

The Mine Ban Treaty has been accepted by 162 countries. It was adopted in Oslo in 1997, and signed that year in Ottawa. Demining efforts under the treaty have resulted in the clearance and release of millions of square metres of once dangerous lands and to a reduction in annual casualty rates in most countries. Countries that signed the treaty have collectively destroyed more than 51 million landmines.

Algeria has not yet signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions.