BACKGROUND

Like in many other post conflict areas, the government of Rwanda inherited mines, Unexploded Ordinances (UXOs) and Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) scattered in most parts of the country. A lot has been done in mine clearance and Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) since 1994. In 1997 Rwanda signed a mine ban treaty and ratified it in the year 2000.

MISSION

To clear mines and UXOs in all contaminated areas and allow use of such areas for socio-economic activities.

VISION

Rwanda is Mine free by 2010.

OBJECTIVES

The Rwanda National De-mining Office was established with the following objectives:

• To train and develop an indigenous De-mining capacity.

• To launch Mine Awareness and Mine Risk Education campaigns.

• To establish co-ordination between the government and non-government organisations on matters pertaining to landmines and UXOs.

• To clear all mines, UXOs and ERWs.

ACHIEVEMENTS

• Indigenous capability has been developed with ability to work under varying conditions.

• More than 2 million returnees have resettled in former battle grounds.

• More than 1.000.0000 square meters of land have been cleared of mines and UXOs allowing resumption of social economic activities in formerly infested areas.

• Mulindi tea plantation was cleared and the factory re-opened.

• Cleared roads and paved way for their repair e.g. 85 km Gitarama - Kibuye road and 60 km Kibuye - Gisenyi road.

• Cleared path for the establishment of electricity power line from Uganda to Byumba.

• Cleared path for establishment of telephone lines from Byumba to Nyagatare.

• Abandoned trading centres were cleared and re-occupied especially in former commune Muvumba.

• Mine casualty figures reduced substantially from an average of 233 in 1994 to 01 in 2003.

• More than 40,000 mines and UXOs have been destroyed.

CHALLENGES

The following challenges affect the rate of clearance:

• Thick vegetation. Some minefields like “Kanombe minefield” require mechanical assets for clearance.

• Steep hilly terrain. Major minefields are found at an average slope of up to 65% posing enormous challenges to mine clearance operations.

• The type of soil. Most minefields are found in soils which present high iron content and interfere with metal detectors

• Weather conditions. The number of work hours in Rwanda is affected by two rainy seasons.

• Inadequate logistical support.

PLANNED ACTIVITIES

• To conduct Land Impact Survey (LIS) of suspected areas.

• To conduct Technical Survey (TS) on un-cleared minefields.

• To continue with mapping and marking of suspected area.

• To continue with mine clearance operations on technically surveyed minefields.

• To continue training for a variety of contingencies e.g. peace support operations.

ORGANISATION STRUCTURE

The National De-mining Office (NDO) comprises of three departments responsible to the NDO Coordinator. They include: Mine Field Clearance Department; Operation Center Department; Data Base Department; Mine Awareness Department.