Landmines unite Sudan forces
Wednesday 12 July 2006 10:40
Ministry Of Defence (National)
Landmines unite Sudan forces
Former enemies have been united as they learn to tackle together indiscriminate killers still at large across much of Sudan. The problem is not a militia or rebel army, but thousands of landmines and items of unexploded ordnance, left behind following 21 years of fierce fighting which divided the two sides.
From southern Sudan, 70 soldiers from the Sudanese People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) joined forces with 64 soldiers from the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) from the north. Under the watchful eyes of the British and Kenyan Armies, they have just completed an intensive 8-week humanitarian demining course at the International Mine Action Training Centre in Kenya. The soldiers will leave Nairobi at the end of this week and return home as one team – a Joint Integrated Unit – the concept of which was written into the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed by both sides on 9 January 2005.
Landmines and unexploded ordnance have killed thousands of people in Sudan since the start of Africa’s longest-running civil war. More than 50% of those killed or maimed are children. Mines are currently crippling the country’s reconstruction programme and preventing refugees from returning home.
British Minister for Armed Forces, Adam Ingram said:
“Seeing the two Sudanese forces working together like this is tremendously encouraging. It demonstrates a continuing commitment to peace in Sudan by both sides. The deadly mines that divided these soldiers in war now provide the vital key to uniting them in peace.
“The British-led International Mine Action Training Centre in Kenya is becoming the centre of choice for mine action training in Africa.”
British Royal Engineer and International Mine Action Training Centre Commandant, Lieutenant Colonel Tim Wildish explained:
“This is the first joint Sudanese unit to receive formal demining training at the Centre. The course has been very ‘hands-on’. Now the students have completed their training, this new demining unit will return to Sudan, fully kitted out and ready to start demining – making a difference to people’s lives and assisting the vital reconstruction process.”
Sudanese Defence Attache to Kenya, Brigadier Gamal Omar Mohamed added:
“The International Mine Action Training Centre is a vehicle of unity providing training to the highest international standards. Landmines are one of our biggest challenges. No development can take place until the mines are cleared and the roads are opened. This will then allow refugees to return home and have a huge impact on the reconstruction effort. We are very grateful to the British for their support.”
As part of its commitment to the Mine Ban Treaty and the Africa Conflict Prevention Pool, the British Government has provided approximately £200,000 to fund the course. This includes providing all students with first class equipment and protective clothing to take with them when they return to Sudan.
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Notes to Editors:
1. The course began on Tuesday 23 May and formally closes on Thursday 13 July 2006.
2. Also taking part in the course were 20 non-military students from the non-governmental organisation, Operation Saving Innocent Lives which included 2 female Sudanese deminers.
3. In addition to funding this course, the British Government has also provided £3.5 million to fund the construction of the International Mine Action Training Centre, as well as three permanent British Army Royal Engineers to staff the centre. The Kenyan Government has provided the land for the Centre at Embakasi, as well as 80 Kenyan Army personnel. The Centre now has a staff of 118 men and women including 35 locally employed civilians.
4. Established as a joint venture between the British and Kenyan Governments on 17 February 2005, the International Mine Action Training Centre has already trained nearly 2,000 people in mine awareness prior to deploying to operational theatres. In addition, four major demining courses have been run, training a total of nearly 700 humanitarian deminers to international mine action standards. Students have so far come from Kenya, Uganda, Sudan, Somaliland, Rwanda and Nigeria. 2006 has been very busy with courses heavily subscribed. In addition, students from the United Nations Mine Action Service and several non-governmental organisations including Norwegian People’s Aid, Danish Church Aid and Federation Swiss Demining have attended these courses.
5. Further details on the International Mine Action Training Centre are available from http://www.army.mod.uk/aroundtheworld/ken/imatc
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