Contamination and Impact

Mines

Mali has a problem with antivehicle mines in the north of the country.[1] The precise extent of the threat is not known, although in September 2009 Mali reported 80 mined areas in the regions of Tombouctou and Kidal, particularly along the roads between Tinza and Abubaza.[2] Mali repeated this information in September 2010, suggesting limited progress in demining.[3] In 2008, Mali had suggested, implausibly, that the extent of contamination was approximately 2,000km².[4]

There have been unconfirmed reports suggesting possible use of antipersonnel mines by Al-Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) in an area towards the border between Mali and Mauritania.[5] On 28 June 2011, three civilians were said to have been killed in a mine explosion in western Mali where Mauritanian and Malian troops were conducting joint operations against AQIM.[6] Subsequent investigations indicate that antivehicle mines may have been used, causing at least one civilian casualty; however, the Monitor is not aware of any evidence that antipersonnel mines were used.[7] Mali has not submitted a Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 report since 2005, in which it declared that there were no mined areas containing antipersonnel mines on its territory.[8]

Cluster munition remnants and other explosive remnants of war

It is not known to what extent Mali is contaminated with explosive remnants of war (ERW). It has not reported publicly on its destruction of ERW during demining operations, although its initial report in accordance with Article 10 of Protocol V of the Convention on Conventional Weapons was due on 22 April 2010. There has been no evidence of any cluster munition remnants in Mali.

Mine Action Program

Key institutions and operators

The National Commission for the Total Ban of Antipersonnel Mines (Commission Nationale pour l’Interdiction Totale des Mines Antipersonnel, CNITMA), which was created in June 2002, is nominally the national mine action authority in Mali.[9] It is not known if it has been functioning.

Mali has previously noted a number of obstacles to clearance, including the lack of experience of its demining personnel; difficult climatic conditions in the affected areas (heat and movement of sand); the lack of mine maps; and the insufficiency of resources (personnel and equipment).[10]

Land Release

Demining in Mali has been carried out by the army’s two engineering teams using manual clearance methods and their own standing operating procedures. It has not reported in any detail on clearance in recent years.

Compliance with Article 5 of the Mine Ban Treaty

Under Article 5 of the Mine Ban Treaty, Mali was required to destroy all antipersonnel mines in mined areas under its jurisdiction or control as soon as possible, but not later than 1 March 2009. Mali has never declared a problem with antipersonnel mines and did not request an extension to its Article 5 deadline.