UN says Juba not free from landmines

The United Nations Mine Action Service has cleared more than 12 million square metres of land across South Sudan from dangerous and hazardous explosives and also cleared a separate 2,000 kilometres of road network across the country over the past one year.

The UNMAS Chief in South Sudan, Tim Lardner, said de-miners are still facing difficulty with accessing certain areas because of insecurity and heavy rains.

“In terms of safety, we respond to any items that are found within Juba and across the country if possible very, very quickly. We’ve cleared 12 million square metres and released that to the communities,” he told journalists at a press conference in Juba on September 29. “That’s land now that kids can play on, people can grow crops on, schools can be built on.

However, he added that he cannot say that Juba town is completely safe. “There is no significant contamination around Juba but there is no question they (mines) will be also found from time to time,” Lardner said, adding that the mission is focused on the protection of civilians and that in future there will be more de-mining services.

He said the UN organisation is on stand-by to respond to hazards in the country. “During the last 12 month period we visited, we surveyed and we’ve tried to identify the contaminations in 2,800 villages throughout South Sudan. We do risk education to explain to children, adults, and staff from the mission and humanitarian workers what the hazards are and how to operate and avoid those hazards,” he added.

He said the UNMAS has also initiated clearance in areas that facilitate the safe return of civilians to their homes and is assessing major roads to make them accessible to civilians, peacekeepers and humanitarian workers.

South Sudan gained independence in July 2011, but following decades of civil war, in which landmines and other weapons were used extensively, explosive remnants of war (ERW) remain a threat to the population throughout the country.

Each year, dozens of people are maimed or killed in accidents, communities are prevented from receiving humanitarian aid and development has stalled because of the threat of mines and ERWs.

Before the 2013 crisis, he said the UNMAS was working closely with the government on the convention of weapons management. “So again, I am urging the government to control their weapons,” he added.

As the mandate of the UN Mission has years ago changed from supporting the government to protect the civilian population, Lardner said UNMAS will continue to work with the national and local governments of South Sudan until the situation has changed.