Guinea-Bissau

Impact

Last updated: 22 February 2024

COUNTRY SUMMARY

Guinea-Bissau was affected by contamination including antipersonnel and antivehicle mines, as well as explosive remnants of war (ERW), as a consequence of armed conflicts from 1963–1974 and 1998–1999, and in 2006.[1]

On 5 December 2012, Guinea-Bissau formally declared fulfillment of its clearance obligations under Article 5 of the Mine Ban Treaty. In 2021, it reported discovering additional suspected mined areas and submitted an Article 5 extension request, which was granted, setting an initial new deadline of 31 December 2022. This enabled Guinea-Bissau to mobilize the resources to conduct survey, in order to formulate an evidence-based action plan.[2]

In April 2022, Guinea-Bissau submitted a further two-year Article 5 extension request, which was granted, amending the deadline to 31 December 2024. This request included a workplan to conduct a national survey, to determine the nature and extent of contamination. It outlined initiatives for implementing marking, emergency spot tasks, risk education, and clearance. [3]

Guinea-Bissau is responsible for a significant number of mine/ERW victims.[4] It has only one physical rehabilitation center, in the capital, Bissau. Since 2021, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has reduced its support to the center, but still provides training. [5]Haut du formulaire

ASSESSING THE IMPACT

Contamination

 Extent of contamination[6]

 

Antipersonnel landmine

Cluster munition remnant

Other

Extent of contamination

Small*

None

 

Small

Reported contamination

CHA: 1.09km²**

SHA: Unknown

N/A

SHA: 0.4km2***

 

Note: CHA=confirmed hazardous area; SHA=suspected hazardous area; N/A=not applicable.

*Contamination remains unknown in unsurveyed areas in the North, East, and South provinces.

**This reported figure includes mixed antipersonnel mine, antivehicle mine, and ERW contamination.

**Re-survey is needed to confirm estimated contamination.

 

Landmine contamination

 

Landmine contamination in Guinea-Bissau dates back to the liberation war of 1963–1974, and was further exacerbated by the Civil War in 1998–1999 and the Casamance conflict in March 2006. The conflict with non-state armed groups (NSAGs) in the north, which began in March 2006, resulted in the placement of mines by a faction of the Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance. Devices reported to have been used included both manufactured antipersonnel landmines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), modified to be victim-activated.[7]

 

Guinea-Bissau declared completion of its Mine Ban Treaty Article 5 clearance obligations in 2012. Yet in 2021, Guinea-Bissau reported that “previously unknown mined areas” comprised antipersonnel and antivehicle mines and ERW across nine confirmed hazardous areas (CHAs) in North province (in Cacheu and Oio) and South province (Quebo and Tombali). In addition, 43 areas were suspected to contain mines and ERW, located in East (Bafatá and Gabú), North (Cacheu and Oio), and South (Quinará and Tombali) provinces.[8]

 

As of the end of 2022, Guinea-Bissau reported nine CHAs totaling 1.09km², with no additional progress made on surveying the 43 suspected hazardous areas (SHAs).[9]

 

Guinea-Bissau reported that it did not have the required financial resources to conduct survey and clearance prior to 2022.[10] The total reported CHA resulted from a survey carried out by Humanitarian Aid in Guinea-Bissau (HUMAID). The 43 SHAs were identified by HUMAID through reports from the local population.[11] Both CHA and SHA are planned to be re-surveyed by Guinea-Bissau in compliance with the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS).[12]

Cluster munition remnants contamination

 

The last known unexploded submunitions were reported to have been destroyed by Cleared Ground Demining (CGD) in August 2008.[13] However, in 2009, Guinea-Bissau submitted a Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 transparency report which referred to “some clusters” at the Paiol da Bra ammunition storage area.[14] CGD later reported clearing 73 PTAB 2.5M submunitions from this area in 2009.[15] In June 2010, the National Mine Action Coordination Center (Centro Nacional de Coordenção da Accão Anti-Minas, CAAMI) acknowledged that cluster munition remnants remained a problem in Guinea-Bissau, but stated that survey was needed to identify the extent of contamination.[16] In 2010, CGD found and destroyed six unexploded PTAB 2.5M submunitions during clearance in the Paiol da Bra area.[17] In March 2011, Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) reported that no submunitions were found during its survey in Guinea-Bissau.[18]

 

In 2019, Guinea-Bissau stated that all cluster munition contaminated areas were cleared before the Convention on Cluster Munitions entered into force for the country.[19]

Other types of contamination

In 2022, Guinea-Bissau reported 0.4km² SHA in Biombo and Oio regions (in North province), and Quinará (in South province). Field visits were needed to confirm this contamination.[20]

Casualties

 

5-year casualties total: 2018–2022[21]

Year

Injured

Killed

Unknown

Total

2022

0

0

0

0

2021

6

2

0

8

2020

0

0

0

0

2019

0

0

0

0

2018

0

0

0

0

 

From 1963–2022, a total of 1,591mine/ERW casualties were reported in Guinea-Bissau. This total includes at least 1,436 survivors.[22]

 

CAAMI registered 13 mine/ERW incidents and 73 casualties from 2012–2022. The majority of these casualties were boys (20), where the age and gender was known (25). Two casualties were caused by antipersonnel mines, while 40 were caused by antivehicle mines. Another 13 casualties were caused by ERW, with the remaining 18 attributed to unknown devices.[23]

 

No casualties were recorded in Guinea-Bissau in 2022. One mine/ERW incident was reported in 2021, when two children were killed and six injured by the explosion of an unknown device in Pitche, Gabú region, at an old army barracks.[24] This was the first incident since 2016.

Cluster munition casualties

The total number of cluster munition casualties in Guinea-Bissau is unknown. There were 11 cluster munition remnant casualties due to scattered ordnance that resulted from the explosion of a weapons depot in 1998.[25] In 2019, the Ministry of National Defense indicated that it was not aware of any cluster munition casualties in the country.[26] In 2020, Guinea-Bissau noted that it needed to conduct a survey in order to identify any cluster munition survivors.[27]

COORDINATION

Summary table[28]

Mine action

Main Coordination Body    

Coordination Mechanism

Strategy/plan

National Mine Action Standards      

CAAMI

 

 

Direct coordination with operators

Workplan 2022–2024

In development

Risk education

Main Coordination Body    

Coordination Mechanism

Strategy/plan

National Mine Action Standards

CAAMI

Direct coordination with operators

Included in 2022–2024 Workplan

In development

Victim assistance

Main Coordination Body    

Coordination Mechanism

Strategy/plan

National Mine Action Standards      

CAAMI

Direct coordination with ministries

National Strategy for the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities

N/R

Note: CAAMI=Centro Nacional de Coordenção da Accão Anti-Minas (National Mine Action Coordination Center); N/R=not reported.

ADDRESSING THE IMPACT

Clearance

 

Highlights from 2022

 

In February 2023, CAAMI established a free national hotline to report the presence of mines, ERW, and incidents involving explosive ordnance.[29]

Management and coordination

 

Management and coordination overview

 

CAAMI was established in 2001 under the Ministry of National Defense. It coordinated mine action operations in Guinea-Bissau until completion of clearance in 2012.[30] In 2021, CAAMI resumed its activities, though it reported that it did not have the financial resources to fulfil its mandate.[31] CAAMI reported in 2022 that it has requested support from international operators Mines Advisory Group (MAG) and the HALO Trust, and the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD), to build its capacity and that of local operators.[32]

 

Guinea-Bissau formed the National Council for Humanitarian Demining on 28 February 2023, to coordinate humanitarian demining activities and validate national standards.[33]

 

In August 2022, MAG reported that it had signed an agreement with the government of Guinea-Bissau to support CAAMI and conduct mine action activities in the country.[34]

 

CAAMI reported in November 2022 that it will require a total of US$5.7 million to implement its workplan for 2022–2024, and called for an annual national contribution of $40,000 as well as international financial support. As of June 2023, only partial funding had been secured.[35]

 

In May 2023, CAAMI organized a workshop on land release and the establishment of working groups, as a means of coordinating activities with operators.[36]

 

Legislation and standards

 

CAAMI developed seven national mine action standards on survey and clearance, which were submitted to the National Council for Humanitarian Demining for approval in 2023.[37]  

 

Strategies and policies

 

Guinea-Bissau has a National Mine Action Workplan 2022–2024, which was also included in the National Development Program.[38] CAAMI planned to develop a residual risk management strategy with support from MAG in 2023–2024.[39]

 

Information management

 

In 2022, CAAMI requested support from MAG and GICHD to update its outdated information management system and rebuild its capacity. CAAMI planned to review paper archives and historical data to help identify residual contamination. [40] In June 2023, CAAMI reported that it had planned a workshop in July–August 2023 to improve information management and use of IMSMA, with support from GICHD.[41]

 

Gender and diversity

 

A workshop on gender and diversity in mine action was held in May 2023 to build the capacity of CAAMI and mine action operators.[42]

Clearance operators

 

MAG planned to deploy non-technical survey and clearance teams at the beginning of 2023.[43] As of June 2023, two international clearance operators were accredited: MAG and the HALO Trust. One national non-governmental organization (NGO), HUMAID, was also accredited.[44]

 

HUMAID has carried out mine action activities since 2012, including demining and spot tasks, but has faced challenges with equipment that requires maintenance or replacement. Another national operator, We All Fight Against Mines (Lutamos Todos Contra As Minas, LUTCAM), was previously active. CAAMI reported it was considering reactivating LUTCAM to enhance national capacity, or integrating former LUTCAM staff into HUMAID demining teams.[45]

 

CAAMI planned to deploy three clearance teams to support non-technical survey in the North, South, and East provinces.[46]Haut du formulaire

 

Land release: antipersonnel landmines

 

CAAMI did not report any land release during 2022. No clearance or survey activity has taken place in Guinea-Bissau since 2014.[47]

Mine Ban Treaty Article 5 clearance deadline

 

Summary of Article 5 clearance deadline extension requests[48]

Original deadline

Extension period

(no. of request)

Current deadline

Status

1 November 2011

2 months (1st)

1 year (2nd)

2 years (3rd)

31 December 2024

Progress to target uncertain

 

On 5 December 2012, Guinea-Bissau formally declared fulfillment of its clearance obligations under Article 5 of the Mine Ban Treaty, having been granted a short two-month extension to its initial deadline.[49] However, in its declaration of completion, Guinea-Bissau reported that “Battle Area Clearance tasks remain as well as an expected residual contamination which will be addressed by CAAMI.”[50] After the 2012 declaration, mine clearance operators and donors withdrew from the country.[51]

 

In November 2019, Guinea-Bissau reported residual ERW contamination.[52] In 2021, Guinea-Bissau reported suspected mine and ERW contamination and submitted a request to extend its Article 5 deadline to 31 December 2022. The request was granted, with Guinea-Bissau aiming to mobilize resources and gather information to submit a third extension request in 2022.[53]

 

In April 2022, Guinea-Bissau requested an additional two-year extension, which was granted. The request detailed a preparatory phase in 2022 (for resource mobilization, capacity-building, and training), and an implementation phase in 2023–2024 (for non-technical survey, marking, emergency spot tasks, risk education, and clearance). It is uncertain if Guinea-Bissau will meet its December 2024 deadline, as delays in the preparatory phase were reported in June 2023.[54]

Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 4 clearance deadline

 

Guinea-Bissau reported to have completed clearance of cluster munition remnants before the Convention on Cluster Munitions entered into force for the country in 2011.[55]

Risk education

Management and coordination

 

Management and coordination overview 

 

Guinea-Bissau planned to resume risk education activities in 2022, but this was postponed to 2023 due to delays in funding.[56] National mine action standards aligned with IMAS 12.10 on Risk Education were planned to be developed, while CAAMI personnel will receive refresher training.[57] Guinea-Bissau’s Technical Working Group on Risk Education has not been active since 2012, and CAAMI coordinates directly with operators. Risk education is included in the National Mine Action Workplan 2022–2024.[58]

Risk education operators

 

CAAMI plans to provide Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) to affected populations alongside survey and clearance. Risk education will be delivered by operators and community focal points. Training was planned for 2022, but had not been reported as of June 2023.[59]

Target groups

 

CAAMI planned to undertake a Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) survey in 2023 to better design risk education messages, materials, and delivery methods.[60] Communities where CHAs have been identified will be prioritized for this survey and risk education activities.[61]

Victim assistance

 

Highlights from 2022

 

During 2022, despite the withdrawal of ICRC funding, the Center for Physical Rehabilitation provided physical rehabilitation services and assistive devices to 1,180 patients, including 30 mine/ERW survivors. The ICRC covered the cost of treatment, transport, and accommodation for 105 patients.[62] This represents a significant reduction from 2021, when 3,900 persons with disabilities, including 109 survivors, accessed services, with 926 supported by the ICRC.[63]

Management and coordination

 

Management and coordination overview

 

CAAMI has a designated victim assistance focal point.[64] CAAMI worked with the Ministry of Women, Family and Social Cohesion, the Ministry of Public Health, and the Federation of Associations for the Defense and Promotion of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Federação das Associações de Defesa e Promoção dos Direitos das Pessoas com Deficiência, FADPD) to mainstream victim assistance into public policies and programs.[65] A five-year National Strategy for the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities was adopted in 2022.[66]

 

The Ministry of National Defense and CAAMI hosted a victim assistance dialogue in January 2022, to discuss the implementation of the National Strategy for the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities, and to strengthen victim assistance coordination activities and implementation.[67]

 

Information management

 

A centralized database of mine/ERW victims and their needs previously existed, but was lost. CAAMI relies on remaining paper archives, which were yet to be entered into a database.[68]

Legal frameworks or policies on disability inclusion

 

Guinea-Bissau has no specific law on the rights of persons with disabilities. Former military personnel with disabilities received government pensions, though this has not adequately met their housing, food, and healthcare needs.[69]

 

Guinea-Bissau has formed a Directorate for Inclusive Education, and in 2021–2022 Humanity & Inclusion (HI) supported the Ministry of Education to develop a national strategy and action plan on inclusive education.[70]

 

Victim assistance providers

 

The Center for Physical Rehabilitation, in Bissau, remained the only functioning rehabilitation center nationwide, providing physical rehabilitation services and producing assistive devices. The ICRC’s multiyear support to the center was reduced to minimal staff training during 2022, and CAAMI has called for new funding to continue providing rehabilitation services.[71]

 

HI withdrew completely from Guinea-Bissau in March 2022, after having worked on inclusive education in Bissau, Cacheu, Bafatá, and Biombo.[72]

 

FADPD has 17 national members, including associations representing mine/ERW survivors.[73] Representatives attended the National Dialogue on Victim Assistance in 2022.[74]

Needs assessment

The Ministry of Public Health, with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Italian Association of Raoul Follereau Friends, conducted an assessment of rehabilitation services.[75] It concluded that the prioritization of rehabilitation within the healthcare sector was insufficient, citing lack of funding, equipment, and qualified personnel. Outside of the capital, Bissau, access to rehabilitation services was limited, while services were not available in most hospitals and primary healthcare centers.[76]

Medical care and rehabilitation

 

The Ministry of Public Health developed a National Rehabilitation Strategic Plan for 2023.[77]

 

In Guinea-Bissau, only six hospitals have the capacity to provide medical care for survivors; with just one, in Bissau, able to treat the most serious injuries.[78] CAAMI reported in 2022 that no emergency medical care or first-aid was available in remote mine/ERW-affected areas.[79]

 Socio-economic and psychosocial inclusion

 

The socio-economic and psychosocial inclusion of survivors remained largely unaddressed in 2022, while barriers persisted in accessing education, public buildings, and transportation.[80]

 

In 2022, the ICRC organized a wheelchair basketball tournament in Bissau and donated sports wheelchairs and other equipment to a local organization.[81]



[2] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Nautan Mancabu, National Director, National Mine Action Coordination Center (Centro Nacional de Coordenção da Accão Anti-Minas, CAAMI), 24 March 2021; Guinea-Bissau Mine Ban Treaty Second Article 5 deadline Extension Request, 28 May 2021, p. 7; and Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC), “Decisions on the request submitted by Guinea-Bissau for an extended deadline for completing the destruction of anti-personnel mines in accordance with Article 5 of the Convention,” 16 November 2021, p. 1.

[3] Guinea-Bissau Mine Ban Treaty Third Article 5 deadline Extension Request, 22 April 2022, p. 19, and Additional Information, 17 August 2022, p. 5; and “Mine Action in Guinea-Bissau: Challenges and needs in implementation,” Mine Ban Treaty intersessional meetings, Geneva, 22 June 2022, p. 2.

[5] ICRC, “Annual Report 2022,” 29 June 2023, p. 100; and ICRC, “Annual Report 2021,” 27 July 2022, p. 137.

[6] Guinea-Bissau Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report (for calendar year 2022), Form D, pp. 4–5. See, Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Database; Guinea-Bissau Mine Ban Treaty Third Article 5 deadline Extension Request, 22 April 2022, pp. 29–31; Guinea-Bissau Mine Ban Treaty Second Article 5 deadline Extension Request, 28 May 2021; and responses to Monitor questionnaire by Nautan Mancabu, National Director, CAAMI, 24 March 2021 and 7 April 2023.

[8] Guinea-Bissau Mine Ban Treaty Third Article 5 deadline Extension Request, 22 April 2022; pp. 29–31; Guinea-Bissau Mine Ban Treaty Second Article 5 deadline Extension Request, 28 May 2021; and response to Monitor questionnaire by Nautan Mancabu, National Director, CAAMI, 24 March 2021.

[9] Guinea-Bissau Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report (for calendar year 2022), Form D, pp. 4–5; and response to Monitor questionnaire by Nautan Mancabu, National Director, CAAMI, 7 April 2023.

[12] Guinea-Bissau Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report (for calendar year 2022), Form D, pp. 5–6; and response to Monitor questionnaire by Nautan Mancabu, National Director, CAAMI, 7 April 2023.

[13] Email from Cassandra McKeown, Finance Director, CGD, 22 April 2009.

[14] Guinea-Bissau Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report (for the period 30 April 2008 to 30 April 2009), Form C.

[15] Email from Cassandra McKeown, Finance Director, CGD, 21 June 2010.

[16] Interview with César de Carvalho, General Director, CAAMI, in Geneva, 23 June 2010.

[17] Email from Cassandra McKeown, Finance Director, CGD, 28 April 2011.

[18] Email from Mário Penedo Tomé Nunes, NPA, 11 March 2011.

[19] Guinea-Bissau Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 Report (for the period 1 May 2011 to 21 November 2019); and Guinea-Bissau Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 Report (for calendar year 2022), Form F. See, Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 Database.

[20] Guinea-Bissau Mine Ban Treaty Third Article 5 deadline Extension Request, 22 April 2022, p. 31; and response to Monitor questionnaire by Nautan Mancabu, National Director, CAAMI, 24 March 2021. This figure is not consistent with the 0.56km² ERW contamination which Guinea-Bissau reported in 2019. See, statement of Guinea-Bissau, Mine Ban Treaty Fourth Review Conference, Oslo, 28 November 2019.

[21] Guinea-Bissau Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report (for calendar year 2022), Form H, pp. 7–8; and response to Monitor questionnaire by Nautan Mancabu, National Director, CAAMI, 7 April 2023.

[22] Guinea-Bissau Mine Ban Treaty Third Article 5 deadline Extension Request, 22 April 2022, p. 32; statement of Guinea-Bissau, Mine Ban Treaty Nineteenth Meeting of States Parties, held virtually, 15–19 November 2021, pp. 4–5; email from Nautan Mancabu, National Director, CAAMI, 24 March 2021; and Guinea-Bissau Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 Report (for the period 1 May 2011 to 21 November 2019), Annex 1.

[24] A media report mentions the explosion of a grenade, but the device was reported as unknown in another media report and by CAAMI. Guinea-Bissau Mine Ban Treaty Third Article 5 deadline Extension Request, 22 April 2022, p. 32; “Guinea-Bissau, national Dialogue on victim assistance: national stakeholders, international organizations and political authorities are bringing themselves up to speed,” Le Quotidien, 1 February 2022; and “Guinean child dies after setting off grenade left in former Portuguese barracks,” Publico, 29 January 2021.

[25] Humanity & Inclusion (HI), Circle of Impact: The Fatal Footprint of Cluster Munitions on People and Communities (Brussels: HI, May 2007), Annex 2, p. 145.

[26] Interview with Irene Laval, General Secretary, Ministry of National Defense, Bissau, 29 April 2019.

[27] Guinea-Bissau Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 Report (for calendar year 2020).

[28] Guinea-Bissau Mine Ban Treaty Third Article 5 deadline Extension Request, 22 April 2022, pp. 8–10, 12, and 14; statement of Guinea-Bissau, Mine Ban Treaty intersessional meetings, 19–21 June 2023, pp. 1–2; Guinea-Bissau Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report (for calendar year 2022), pp. 6–8; and Committee on Victim Assistance, “Preliminary Observations: Guinea-Bissau: Status of Implementation – Victim Assistance,” Mine Ban Treaty intersessional meetings, Geneva, 19–21 June 2023, pp. 1–4.

[29] Statement of Guinea-Bissau, Mine Ban Treaty intersessional meetings, Geneva, 19–21 June 2023, p. 2.

[30] Interviews with Filomeno Graça, Mine Risk Education and Victim Assistance Program Coordinator, CAAMI, Bissau, 29 April 2019; with Irene Laval, General Secretary, Ministry of National Defense, Bissau, 29 April 2019; and with César de Carvalho, CAAMI, in Geneva, 23 June 2010.

[31] Email from Nautan Mancabu, National Director, CAAMI, 4 March 2021; and Guinea-Bissau Mine Ban Treaty Second Article 5 deadline Extension Request, 28 May 2021, p. 7.

[33] Statement of Guinea-Bissau, Mine Ban Treaty intersessional meetings, 19–21 June 2023, p. 1.

[34] MAG LinkedIn post, August 2022.

[35] Guinea-Bissau Mine Ban Treaty Third Article 5 deadline Extension Request, 22 April 2022, p. 19; presentation of Guinea-Bissau, “Humanitarian Mine Action in Guinea-Bissau: Status and Challenges: Individualized Approach meeting,” Mine Ban Treaty intersessional meetings, Geneva, 22 June 2022, pp. 13–16; and statement of Guinea-Bissau, Mine Ban Treaty intersessional meetings, Geneva, 19–21 June 2023, pp. 1–4. 

[36] Statement of Guinea-Bissau, Mine Ban Treaty intersessional meetings, Geneva, 19–21 June 2023, p. 3.

[37] Statement of Guinea-Bissau, Mine Ban Treaty intersessional meetings, Geneva, 19–21 June 2023, pp. 2–3.

[38] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Nautan Mancabu, National Director, CAAMI, 7 April 2023.

[40] Guinea-Bissau Mine Ban Treaty Third Article 5 deadline Extension Request, 22 April 2022, pp. 8–10 and 14, and Additional Information, 17 August 2022, p. 2.

[41] Statement of Guinea-Bissau, Mine Ban Treaty intersessional meetings, Geneva, 19–21 June 2023, p. 3.

[42] Statement of Guinea-Bissau, Mine Ban Treaty intersessional meetings, Geneva, 19–21 June 2023, p. 3.

[43] Guinea-Bissau Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report (for calendar year 2022), p. 15.

[44] Statement of Guinea-Bissau, Mine Ban Treaty intersessional meetings, 19–21 June 2023, pp. 3–4.

[45] Guinea-Bissau Mine Ban Treaty Third Article 5 deadline Extension Request, 22 April 2022, p. 15; and Guinea-Bissau Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report (for calendar year 2022), p. 12.

[46] Guinea-Bissau Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report (for calendar year 2022), p. 12.

[47] Guinea-Bissau Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report (for calendar year 2022), Form D, p. 5; presentation of Guinea-Bissau, “Humanitarian Mine Action in Guinea-Bissau: Status and Challenges: Individualized Approach meeting,” Mine Ban Treaty intersessional meetings, Geneva, 22 June 2022, p. 3; and Guinea-Bissau Mine Ban Treaty Third Article 5 deadline Extension Request, 22 April 2022, pp. 9 and 29.

[51] Email from Nautan Mancabu, National Director, CAAMI, 4 March 2021.

[52] Statement of Guinea-Bissau, Mine Ban Treaty Fourth Review Conference, Oslo, 28 November 2019.

[53] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Nautan Mancabu, National Director, CAAMI, 24 March 2021; and Guinea-Bissau Mine Ban Treaty Second Article 5 deadline Extension Request, 28 May 2021, p. 7.

[54] Statement of Guinea-Bissau, Mine Ban Treaty intersessional meetings, Geneva, 19–21 June 2023, pp. 1–4.

[55] Guinea-Bissau Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 Report (for the period 1 May 2011 to 21 November 2019), Form F.

[56] Guinea-Bissau Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report (for calendar year 2022), p. 13.

[59] Guinea-Bissau Mine Ban Treaty Third Article 5 deadline Extension Request, 22 April 2022, pp. 22–23; and Guinea-Bissau Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report (for calendar year 2022), p. 13.

[61] Guinea-Bissau Mine Ban Treaty Third Article 5 deadline Extension Request, 22 April 2022, p. 22; and Guinea-Bissau Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report (for calendar year 2022), p. 13.

[62] ICRC, “Annual Report 2022,” 29 June 2023, pp. 100 and 104.

[63] ICRC, “Annual Report 2021,” 27 July 2022, p. 140; and ICRC, “Physical Rehabilitation Programme: 2021 Annual Report,” 20 September 2022, p. 18.

[64] Guinea-Bissau Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report (for calendar year 2021), Form H, p. 8.

[65] Guinea-Bissau Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report (for calendar year 2022), p. 8.

[66] Guinea-Bissau Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report (for calendar year 2022), p. 9; United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Guinea-Bissau, “Breaking Barriers, Empowering People,” 26 May 2022; statement of Guinea-Bissau, Mine Ban Treaty Nineteenth Meeting of States Parties, held virtually, 15–19 November 2021, p. 2; and “Guinea-Bissau, national Dialogue on victim assistance: national stakeholders, international organizations and political authorities are bringing themselves up to speed,” Le Quotidien, 1 February 2022.

[67] Guinea-Bissau Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report (for calendar year 2021), Form H, pp. 8–9; Aliu Baldé, “CAAMI has an extensive program for the defense of persons with disabilities,” Jornal No Pintcha, 27 January 2022; and Guinea-Bissau, “Informal Presentation on Assistance for Victims of Antipersonnel Mines,” Mine Ban Treaty Twentieth Meeting of States Parties, Geneva, 21–25 November 2022, p. 5–7.

[68] Statement of Guinea-Bissau, Mine Ban Treaty Nineteenth Meeting of States Parties, held virtually, 15–19 November 2021, p. 4.

[69] United States (US) Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, “2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Guinea-Bissau,” March 2023.

[71] Presentation of Guinea-Bissau, “Technical Assistance to Ministry of Health for Assessment and Strategic Planning of Rehabilitation in Guinea Bissau,” Mine Ban Treaty intersessional meetings, held virtually, 21 June 2021, p. 9; Guinea-Bissau Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report (for calendar year 2022), p. 10; and ICRC, “Annual Report 2022,” 29 June 2023, p. 100.

[72] HI, “Country Sheet: Guinea-Bissau,” updated September 2022, p. 5.

[73] Guinea-Bissau Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report (for calendar year 2022), p. 9.

[74] Guinea-Bissau Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report (for calendar year 2022), p. 9.

[75] Presentation of Guinea-Bissau, “Technical Assistance to Ministry of Health for Assessment and Strategic Planning of Rehabilitation in Guinea Bissau,” Mine Ban Treaty intersessional meetings, held virtually, 21 June 2021, p. 6.

[76] Presentation of Guinea-Bissau, “Technical Assistance to Ministry of Health for Assessment and Strategic Planning of Rehabilitation in Guinea Bissau,” Mine Ban Treaty intersessional meetings, held virtually, 21 June 2021, p. 10.

[77] Presentation of Guinea-Bissau, “Technical Assistance to Ministry of Health for Assessment and Strategic Planning of Rehabilitation in Guinea Bissau,” Mine Ban Treaty intersessional meetings, held virtually, 21 June 2021, p. 6; and Guinea-Bissau Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report (for calendar year 2022), p. 9.

[78] The six hospitals are located in Bafata, Bissau, Buba, Canchungo, Catio, and Gabu. Interview with Irene Laval, General Secretary, Ministry of National Defense, Bissau, 29 April 2019.

[79] Guinea-Bissau Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report (for calendar year 2022), p. 9.

[80] US Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, “2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Guinea-Bissau,” March 2023.

[81] ICRC, “Annual Report 2022,” 29 June 2023, p. 102.