New landmine allegations

The number of landmine accidents continue to increase in Angola, with civilians bearing the brunt of the casualties, humanitarian and diplomatic sources told IRIN on Wednesday. The eastern province of Moxico appears to be the worst hit, with 29 victims in October, the largest toll of mine accidents in a single month so far this year. Most of the incidents occured within a 25 km perimetre of Luena, the provincial capital. Luanda has accused the UNITA rebel movement of re-mining large swathes of the country as it retreats from a government army (FAA) offensive. “This has been a tactic of UNITA’s for more than 30 years of war,” a military source told IRIN. However, one mine specialist cautioned that the rise in mine accidents does not necessarily reflect a significant increase in new mine laying. He said with the heavy rains underway in Angola, old mines are being washed into what were previously thought to be safe paths and fields. He added that given the pressure on farmland by the displaced population around government-held cities, people are also more willing to take risks as they try and cultivate. Meanwhile, despite the FAA’s military successes in the former UNITA stronghold of the central highlands, the Bie provincial capital of Kuito was shelled by UNITA on 9 November. The UN’s World Food Programme was compelled to cancel flights for one day, the agency reported. The FAA source insisted, however, that UNITA was on the retreat. He said the rebel movement firmly held only a small triangle of territory between Cuemba, Munhango and Luando on the borders of Bie, Malanje and Moxico provinces. “They still control the area but are not strong enough to conduct a spectacular attack,” he added.