+   *    +     +     
About Us 
The Issues 
Our Research Products 
Order Publications 
Multimedia 
Press Room 
Resources for Monitor Researchers 
ARCHIVES HOME PAGE 
    >
 
Table of Contents
Country Reports
GUINEA-BISSAU, Landmine Monitor Report 2005

Guinea-Bissau

Key developments since May 2004: Guinea-Bissau sheduled to complete stockpile destruction on 17 October 2005, shortly before its 1 November 2005 treaty-deadline. A mine action plan for 2004 to 2009 was developed to meet Guinea-Bissau’s obligations under Article 5 of the Mine Ban Treaty. Handicap International started a project in 2005 to develop demining capacity and efficiency. Over 215,000 square meters of land were cleared in 2004, less than in 2003. Under US$1 million was contributed by international donors for mine action in Guinea-Bissau in 2004, a decrease from 2003. Mine risk education in 2004 was interrupted by a shortfall in funding. A significant increase in mine/UXO casualties was reported in 2004. At the First Review Conference, Guinea-Bissau was identified as one of 24 States Parties with the greatest needs and responsibility to provide adequate survivor assistance. In June 2005, Guinea-Bissau presented its objectives for 2005-2009 to address the needs of mine survivors.

Mine Ban Policy

The Republic of Guinea-Bissau signed the Mine Ban Treaty on 3 December 1997, ratified on 22 May 2001 and became a State Party on 1 November 2001. The government has said in the past that domestic implementation legislation is unnecessary because the Mine Ban Treaty automatically becomes national law under the constitution, making mine-related crimes subject to existing penal sanctions.[1 ] However, in December 2004 the Foreign Minister said that the government was planning to present a bill to parliament in the framework of Article 9 of the Mine Ban Treaty.[2]

Guinea-Bissau submitted its fourth Article 7 report on 14 June 2005, which covers the period from 30 April 2004 to 30 April 2005.[3 ]

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Soares Sambu, led the country’s delegation to the First Review Conference in Nairobi in November-December 2004. He said that the national mine action program is a “vital instrument” in the government’s efforts to reduce poverty, related to the national Strategic Plan to Reduce Poverty.[4 ]

Guinea-Bissau participated in the intersessional Standing Committee meetings in June 2005 in Geneva, where it made presentations on its demining and victim assistance activities, and provided an update to the Standing Committee on Stockpile Destruction.

Guinea-Bissau has not engaged in the extensive discussions that States Parties have had on matters of interpretation and implementation related to Articles 1, 2 and 3. Thus, Guinea-Bissau has not made its views known on issues related to joint military operations with non-States Parties, foreign stockpiling and transit of antipersonnel mines, antivehicle mines with sensitive fuzes or antihandling devices, and the permissible number of mines retained for training.

Guinea-Bissau is not party to the Convention on Conventional Weapons and its Amended Protocol II on landmines.

Production, Transfer, Use, Stockpiling and Destruction

Guinea-Bissau has reported that it never produced or exported antipersonnel mines.[5 ] The last confirmed use of antipersonnel mines was during the conflict that broke out in June 1998 in the capital Bissau.

Guinea-Bissau sheduled to complete stockpile destruction on 17 October 2005, shortly before its 1 November 2005 treaty-deadline.[6 ] Previously, Guinea-Bissau indicated that it planned to destroy its remaining 3,997 stockpiled antipersonnel mines before the Review Conference in November 2004.[7 ] However, it did not do so.[8 ]Previously, Guinea-Bissau destroyed 4,711 stockpiled antipersonnel mines in February 1998, before it signed the Mine Ban Treaty, and another 1,000 antipersonnel mines in September 2002, leaving a stockpile of 3,997.[9 ]

Guinea-Bissau told the Standing Committee on Stockpile Destruction in June 2004 and June 2005 that it would not retain any mines for training purposes under Article 3.[10 ] In its June 2005 Article 7 report, Guinea-Bissau states in Form B and Form F that all 3,997 mines will be destroyed. However, in Form D it states, “A very limited number of AP mine (not yet defined) may be retained in the next reporting period for training courses.”[11 ] On earlier occasions, Guinea-Bissau has said it would keep a small quantity of mines for training.[12 ] When the 17 October date for completion of stockpile destruction was announced, it was indicated that Guinea-Bissau would retain 100 antipersonnel mines under Article 3.[13]

Landmine and UXO Problem

Guinea-Bissau’s landmine contamination dates back to the Liberation War of 1963, with mines being used for border defense and the protection of military bases. During the most recent phase of conflict in Guinea-Bissau—the civil war of June 1998 to May 1999—mines were reportedly laid by both parties to the conflict, as well as by foreign troops involved in the conflict.[14 ]

In contrast to the earlier war, in which mines were distributed throughout the country, during the 1998-1999 conflict most of the fighting was concentrated in Bissau city. Numerous areas have remained contaminated with mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) as a result. In an effort to estimate the contamination in and around the capital, ECOMOG, the Military Observer Group of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), succeeded in having the various groups involved in the conflict define areas that they assumed to be mined. Their estimate was 20,000 mines, in addition to UXO in Bissau and other conflict areas.[15 ]

The southern region of the country has also been identified as an area of concern, mainly because some frontline battle areas were also located in this region. In Brá, where an Army arsenal blew up in 1998, large amounts of UXO remain a threat.[16 ] Liberation War contamination can also be found in the south.

The landmine situation in the north, especially in the area bordering Senegal, is more complicated than elsewhere in the country. It is known that mines were used during the struggle for independence and also in the armed conflict in the neighboring Casamance region of Senegal.[17 ] The Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance (MFDC) allegedly used the border area inside Guinea-Bissau as a rear base, while the Senegalese Armed Forces were active in Guinea-Bissau during the civil war and in their military operations against real or suspected MFDC bases. Whether landmines have been used by the two sides of the Casamance conflict inside Guinea-Bissau is not known, but it cannot be ruled out.[18 ]

The National Mine Action Coordination Center in Guinea-Bissau has identified 27 “sectors” (administrative areas) outside the capital as being mined, of which 23 are related to the struggle for independence and are in all probability limited in size and located around the perimeter of former Portuguese military locations. Examples are Bigene, Bissora, Bissasseme de Cima, Boe, Buruntuma, Contuboel, Cutar, Dungal, Galomaro, Mansaba, Pitche, São Domingo and Sonaco. The remaining four mined areas are related to the civil war and are found in Quinará province and in the Bijagos Archipelago, including the islands of Bolama and Bubaque.[19 ]

Guinea-Bissau has reported that 24 different types of antipersonnel mines and eight types of antivehicle mines from seven countries have been found or reported in the country.[20 ]

However, the extent of mine/UXO contamination remains to be defined more completely. Although the problem is well known and has been significantly reduced in and around the capital, considerable work is needed in this regard in other parts of the country.[21 ] Mine and UXO-suspected areas are often part of the land where people are growing market crops, such as rice in small flooded valleys, cashew nuts, and subsistence fisheries in coastal mangroves in a salt-water setting.[22 ] For example, the coordinator of a local development organization noted that around the town of São Domingos agricultural production has been lowered by the presence of mines. Especially old plantations, potentially very productive areas, are considered too risky to work in.[23]

Mine Action Program

The National Mine Action Coordination Center (Centro Nacional de Coordenação da Acção Anti-Minas, CAAMI) was set up in March 2001 to coordinate mine action in the country. Its mandate is to plan and coordinate all mine action activities, mobilize the resources necessary for the implementation of the National Humanitarian Mine Action Program, and monitoring of mine-related activities.[24 ] On 10 September 2001, the government created the National Commission for Humanitarian Demining (CNDH), as a steering committee. CAAMI, which also operates under the aegis of the Minister of Veteran’s Affairs,[25 ]is responsible for carrying out the National Humanitarian Mine Action Program (PAAMI).

The UN Development Programme (UNDP) supports the mine action program in Guinea-Bissau. A new chief technical advisor arrived on 1 April 2005.[26]

There are two mine action NGOs in Guinea-Bissau, LUTCAM (Lutamos Todos Contra As Minas) which has been active since February 2003, and HUMAID (Humanitarian Aid) which began operations in early 2000. The employees of the two organizations, most of whom were former combatants on one or other of the sides during the 1998-1999 internal conflict, are said to cooperate well.[27 ]

A plan for mine clearance and survey for 2004-2009 was developed in 2004 by CAAMI to meet its obligations under Article 5 of the Mine Ban Treaty.[28 ] It envisages the clearance of Bissau and surrounding areas, plus surveys/impact assessments and mine/UXO clearance outside Bissau. The plan aims to make Bissau mine-free by 2006.[29 ]According to CAAMI, three conditions must be fulfilled to realize this ambition, political stability, continued government commitment, and sufficient financial backing from abroad.[30 ] Of these three conditions, particular concern was expressed about the willingness of donors to provide sufficient funding. The Public Sector Reform Program (PSRP) was being revised as of September 2005; the first version was factored into mine action planning. With government changes, it was hoped that a new plan could be elaborated and presented to donors.[31]

Mine risk education is said to be an integral part of the mine action plan, and is to be provided to all communities at risk. The International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) for mine risk education have not been specifically applied in Guinea-Bissau, and there are currently no plans to develop national standards.[32]

CAAMI uses the Information Management System for Mine Action (IMSMA) for storing mine action information.

Survey and Assessment

Starting in February 2003, two community survey teams from LUTCAM mapped the landmine problem in Bissau city, where one-third of the country’s population lives.[33 ] The teams identified 17 suspected areas, of which eight have been identified as mine-affected. The mined areas in Bissau are Antulo Bono, Plaque 1, Bairro de Pescas, Enterramento, Bór, Quelele, Bolanha de Cuntum Madina, Bairro Ajuda and Manuel Agua.[34 ]

Identifying funding for survey was described as a priority for mine action resource mobilization in 2005.[35 ] If funding is available, LUTCAM will continue survey activities in 2005 and 2006, and two survey teams are planned to be set up in 2006 for HUMAID, concentrating initially on the outskirts of Bissau and the south of the country, followed by the east, which was not affected by the civil war. The north would be the last area to be surveyed.[36 ]

According to UNDP, there is no permanent marking program in Guinea-Bissau, but all areas in the capital have been marked. However, many of the markings have been removed over time by local people. Areas outside Bissau have not been surveyed, and therefore not marked, except by communities using traditional methods of marking (sticks, branches, etc.). It was planned to use mine risk education volunteers for a community marking program; they also work with communities in areas adjacent to demining operations to prevent them from taking minefield markings.[37]

Mine and UXO Clearance

Under Article 5 of the Mine Ban Treaty, Guinea-Bissau must destroy all antipersonnel mines in mined areas under its jurisdiction or control as soon as possible, but not later than 1 November 2011. At the First Review Conference, Guinea-Bissau announced its target of being among the first African countries to fulfill its obligations under Article 5. The new five-year mine action plan includes both survey and clearance of suspected areas outside the capital.[38 ] But the June 2005 Article 7 report notes that prioritization of areas outside the capital can only be carried out once additional impact assessment and technical survey is completed.[39]

In 2004, 215,871 square meters were cleared, destroying 25 antipersonnel mines, eight antivehicle mines and 25,787 UXO, which was less than in 2003.[40]

Clearance of Mine/UXO-affected Areas 2003-July 2005[41]

Year
Area cleared
(square meters)
Antipersonnel mines destroyed
Antivehicle mines destroyed
UXO destroyed
2003
283,470
84
0
1,130
2004
215,872
25
8
25,787
2005
(through July)
69,233
21
3
21,860
Total
568,575
130
11
48,777

According to CAAMI, in 2005 through July, only a further 69,233 square meters of land were cleared, partly because of re-training of LUTCAM deminers in January 2005, and technical capacity building of HUMAID and revision of its standing operations in January-February.[42 ] By July 2005, the two NGOs were each clearing 10,000 square meters a month.[43 ] CAAMI reported that between 2000 and July 2005 a total of 855,829 square meters of land was cleared in Guinea-Bissau, destroying 2,567 antipersonnel mines, 67 antivehicle mines and 62,239 UXO.[44 ]

HUMAID cleared 115,295 square meters in 2004, destroying seven antipersonnel mines and 23,206 UXO; it briefly halted field operations in early 2004 to be accredited as a national NGO. HUMAID deployed 44 deminers with 11 metal detectors at the Plaque I site in Bissau, which was completed in December 2004.[45]

LUTCAM cleared 100,577 square meters, destroying 18 antipersonnel mines, eight antivehicle mines and 2,581 UXO. LUTCAM deploys 65 deminers. Since 10 March 2004, 27 deminers have worked at Enterramento where clearance was expected to be finished by December 2005. LUTCAM also worked at Madina.[46 ]

In 2005, Handicap International (HI) assisted HUMAID develop its managerial and operational capacity to implement demining operations. Training sessions were also open to the other mine action actors in Guinea-Bissau (CAAMI and LUTCAM).[47 ]

Guinea-Bissau is said to have the capacity for basic UXO clearance, but needs specialized explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) teams to tackle some of the more complex tasks in Paiol de Brá. These training needs are being addressed, in part, by HI.[48]

There have been no casualties as a result of demining accidents from when the program started in 2000 to July 2005. All deminers are insured, as are operations cell personnel at CAAMI.[49]

National standard operating procedures were established in January 2003 based on those employed in Mozambique, with inputs from Angolan standards. Provisional accreditation to operate in Guinea-Bissau was granted based on operational compliance with IMAS, but as of August 2005 formal accreditation of the two NGOs’ standard operating procedures was not finalized.[50]

Quality controls are in place, conducted by CAAMI.[51 ] The CAAMI operations cell has an operations manager and two quality control officers, trained in Mozambique; they have also received the same training as the deminers. In August 2005, they took an EOD training course provided by HI.[52 ] In its May 2004 Article 7 report, Guinea-Bissau reported that in previous years the quality of some demining was unsatisfactory.[53]

Mine Risk Education

CAAMI coordinates mine risk education (MRE) activities at the national and regional level and provides MRE training to teachers and other facilitators. It is responsible for implementation of the MRE program (Programa de Educação para a Prevenção de Acidentes com Minas, PEPAM), established in November 2000 to provide MRE and victim assistance.

In 2004, MRE activities suffered from a shortfall in funding. Volunteers continued with some MRE but the campaign was adversely affected. One activist interviewed by Landmine Monitor said that they were still going into the villages to undertake MRE activities, but he was on strike because salaries had not been paid for at least four months.[54 ] CAAMI told Landmine Monitor that activists should get a monthly stipend of CFA15,000 (around $25), which was previously provided by UNICEF. However, for 2004, CAAMI could only afford to provide $5,000 to run PEPAM, enough to pay 100 activists for two months. UNICEF was reportedly planning to provide $30,000 to support the MRE project in 2005.[55 ]

PEPAM coordination meetings with activists were held twice a month until funding was cut in 2004; they were expected to resume in late 2005.[56]

There are a total of 111 MRE activists/educators, including 89 trainers in Bissau. The trainers work with 310 community MRE facilitators throughout the country; 160 facilitators work in Bissau, while 150 are active in the northern and southern regions.[57]

MRE is included in the primary school curriculum, for which special material has been developed based on what is used in Angola. During 2004, 71 schoolteachers received refresher courses, 40 in Bissau and 31 in the regions, while another 10 received MRE instruction for the first time.[58 ]

MRE is also undertaken through door-to-door campaigning, and working with local associations in city neighborhoods and rural villages. Local radio stations in mine-affected areas broadcast MRE messages, mainly on a voluntary basis.[59 ]

HUMAID set up a community liaison team in January 2005, with support from HI. The team provides MRE in areas surrounding the demining operations, and ensures the link between demining operations and the community.[60]

Funding and Assistance

The government provides office space, storage and parking space to CAAMI on property refurbished with UNDP resources.[61 ] Funding of mine action in Guinea-Bissau is dependent on international donors.

Landmine Monitor estimates that approximately $998,771 was contributed by three international donors for mine action in Guinea-Bissau in 2004, representing a decrease from the $1.21 million donated in 2003.[62 ] Donors in 2004 were:

  • Canada: C$130,000 ($99,869) for victim assistance through the World Health Organization;[63]
  • Germany: €521,709 ($648,902) to HUMAID through Caritas;[64]
  • UK: $250,000, reported by UNDP.[65 ]

CAAMI officials also reported a $30,000 donation from Canada, and a $5,000 donation (plus another possible $30,000) from UNICEF for MRE.[66 ]

In January 2004, the head of the transitional government issued a $2.4 million appeal for 11 mine action projects.[67 ] The UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) stated that Guinea-Bissau required $1,326,851 for planned mine action projects in 2005.[68 ] A donor roundtable was planned for October 2005, in which mine action was expected to play a significant role.[69]

The European Commission (EC) mainstreamed mine action for Guinea-Bissau into its geographical budget line, which makes it difficult to identify funds specifically earmarked for mine action.[70 ] However, the EC was reported to have pledged €600,000 ($746,280) to HI to build capacity and cover some of the running costs of HUMAID, for the period 1 January 2005-31 March 2006.[71 ] HI’s total project cost was budgeted at €738,057 (some $900,000) for 2005, partially funded by the EC.[72]

Landmine Casualties

In 2004, CAAMI recorded 30 new landmine/UXO casualties, including six people killed and 24 injured; six were women and two of the injured were children.[73 ] This represents a significant increase from the 12 new mine/UXO casualties in 2003, including three children killed and nine adults injured.[74 ]

Casualties continued to be reported in 2005, with four people killed and eight injured in UXO incidents to 30 August.[75 ]

An analysis of the CAAMI IMSMA database of 30 May 2005, indicates that of 667 mine/UXO casualties between 1963 and 2005, 55 people were killed and 612 injured; at least 124 (19 percent) were women and 104 (16 percent) were children. The most mine/UXO casualties (35 percent) were recorded in the northern region, 25 percent in the capital and surrounding areas, 21 percent in the eastern region, and 19 percent in the southern part of the country. Of the total casualties, 133 were caused by antipersonnel mines, eight by antivehicle mines, 505 by UXO, and the cause of 21 casualties is unknown.[76 ] Due to the relative inaccessibility of many areas and the poor communication infrastructure, it is possible that not all mine/UXO casualties have been reported.[77 ]

Landmine Monitor was told informally of at least one incident in São Domingos that may have involved a landmine, when a person was allegedly attempting to make an illegal border crossing into Guinea-Bissau from Senegal.[78 ] CAAMI was informed of another incident on the border with Senegal, near Farid, in which 14 people were injured by mines. There were allegations that this involved illegal activity, but CAAMI was not in a position to comment.[79 ]

Survivor Assistance

At the First Review Conference in Nairobi, Guinea-Bissau was identified as one of 24 States Parties with significant numbers of mine survivors and “the greatest responsibility to act, but also the greatest needs and expectations for assistance” in providing adequate services for the care, rehabilitation and reintegration of survivors.[80 ]Guinea-Bissau participated in the Workshop on Advancing Landmine Victim Assistance in Africa, held in Nairobi from 31 May-2 June 2005. The workshop was hosted by the co-chairs of the Standing Committee on Victim Assistance and Socio-Economic Reintegration, to assist States Parties in developing a plan of action to meet the aims of the Nairobi Action Plan in relation to mine victim assistance.

As part of its commitment to the Nairobi Action Plan, in June 2005 Guinea-Bissau presented its objectives for the period 2005-2009 to address the needs of mine survivors, which include: enhancing emergency response capacities; strengthening the capacity of the national hospital and community-based facilities/organizations that deal with rehabilitation of mine/UXO survivors; improving access for persons with disabilities and increasing the capacity of health services in physiotherapy and orthopedics; building capacity in psychosocial support; supporting sports activities for survivors; empowering survivors through increased opportunities for economic reintegration.[81]

Guinea-Bissau submitted the voluntary Form J with its annual Article 7 report for 2005 to report on victim assistance activities and objectives.[82]

Capacities for the care and rehabilitation of mine/UXO casualties are severely limited. There is a national hospital, the Simão Mendes Hospital in Bissau, several regional hospitals in Canchungo, Bafatá, Gabu, Mansoa, Cumura and Catio, and the Air Base Military Hospital. All have the capacity to respond to emergencies. Generally landmine casualties are treated at Simão Mendes Hospital or the military hospital. Emergency and first aid is almost non-existent. Casualties arrive at the hospitals through their own means or are sometimes brought by ambulance; however, only nine healthcare facilities have ambulances. Hospitals are reportedly poorly equipped and lack qualified doctors and other health care personnel. The cost of treatment can be a major obstacle for many mine/UXO casualties.[83 ] CAAMI is seeking assistance through the World Health Organization (WHO) to provide medical equipment to two hospitals, including the national hospital in Bissau, to improve the capacity to treat mine/UXO casualties and other emergencies.[84]

The WHO mine victim assistance program aims to coordinate efforts to respond effectively to landmine and other traumatic injuries, and to address the needs of mine casualties and their families by providing basic social services. In 2004, the program was funded by Canada.[85]

In 2005, Cuba restarted its assistance to Guinea-Bissau by sending a group of 45 doctors, including local medical students who studied in Cuba and are now finishing their practical work in Guinea-Bissau.[86 ]

There is only one functioning rehabilitation center to serve the entire country, the Casa Amiga dos Deficientes Center (Friendly House for the Disabled), run by the local NGO ANDES. The ANDES center provides physiotherapy, orthopedic devices and psychosocial support; however, it is not able to work at full capacity because of persistent funding problems. The center currently produces 16 prostheses per month, and provides physiotherapy services for 26 people per month.[87] 

Objectives for 2005-2009 include rehabilitating the specialized Center for Surgery and Rehabilitation in Bissau, destroyed during the civil war, to increase the national capacity for physical rehabilitation.[88 ]

The Ministry of Former Combatants has responsibility for the rehabilitation of disabled military personnel. An agreement between ANDES and the Secretary of State for Former Combatants, signed in September 2002, to provide medical and orthopedic assistance and physical rehabilitation to 399 disabled ex-combatants, including some mine survivors, has not been implemented due to administrative difficulties. As a result, there are still former combatants who have not received rehabilitation services.[89]

In Guinea-Bissau there is no formal capacity to provide psychosocial support, although the ANDES center provides ad hoc support to people during rehabilitation.[90 ]

Opportunities for the socioeconomic reintegration of landmine survivors and other people with disability are very limited, exacerbated by high unemployment and limited access to education. There are reportedly no real prospects for economic reintegration, either on a project basis or structurally, in the foreseeable future.[91 ] CAAMI plans to assist 20 mine/UXO survivors through vocational training in dressmaking, ironworks and computer operations, micro credit schemes and scholarships in cooperation with the Ministry of Education. A shortage of funds has delayed the commencement of the program, but it should be operational by the end of 2005.[92]

Handicap International continues to provide organizational support to organizations for persons with disabilities, including war disabled. Support includes the provision of office supplies, and assistance with report and proposal writing.[93 ]

Other organizations working with people with disabilities include the Guinean Association for the Promotion of People with Physical Disability, Guinean Association for Assistance to People with Disability, and National Union of Physically Disabled (União Nacional de Deficientes Motores).[94 ]

Disability Policy and Practice

There are no laws or decrees to assist civilians with disabilities in Guinea-Bissau. The government assists disabled military veterans with pensions, but this assistance is reportedly insufficient to meet health, housing and food needs.[95 ] CAAMI acknowledges the challenge of including mine survivors in the category of “war victims” in article 5 of the constitution to facilitate access to legal and socioeconomic support.[96]

The Ministry of Health is the lead ministry for survivor assistance; however, it has many competing priorities in providing healthcare for the population. The Ministry of Social Affairs has a very limited budget, and has no resources to engage in survivor assistance activities.[97]

As part of its commitment to the Nairobi Action Plan, Guinea-Bissau stated that it aims to create a “complete and comprehensive national plan, which includes awareness campaigns on the needs of people with disabilities.”[98]


[1 ]Article 7 Report, Form A, 14 June 2005. The report cites Articles 85.1, para. h), and 68, para. e), of the Constitution as making the treaty national law, and Article 206 of the Penal Code, which allows sentencing of crimes. Penal Code Article 206, Number 1, prohibits the use of explosives. See also, CAAMI Document, “Action de la Guinee-Bissau concernant la mise en oeuvre de la Convention de Ottawa pour l’elimination des mines antipersonnel,” January 2004.

[2] Statement by Soares Sambu, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nairobi Summit on a Mine-Free World (First Review Conference), Nairobi, 2 December 2004. Translation by Landmine Monitor.

[3 ]The date of submission to the UN is 14 June 2005, but the date on the report itself is 30 April 2005. Previous reports were submitted on 19 June 2002, 13 May 2003 and 13 May 2004.

[4 ]Statement by Soares Sambu, Minister of Foreign Affairs, First Review Conference, Nairobi, 2 December 2004. Translation by Landmine Monitor.

[5 ]Article 7 Report, Form E, 14 June 2005.

[6 ]Email from Tammy Hall, Chief Technical Advisor, UNDP, Bissau, 22 August 2005.

[7 ]“Meeting Report,” Standing Committee on Stockpile Destruction, Geneva, 24 June 2004. Guinea-Bissau also stated its intention to complete destruction before the Review Conference at meetings in January and April 2004. Interview with César Luis G. L. de Carvahlo, Director, CAAMI, Bissau, 28 April 2004; statement by Guinea-Bissau during the Workshop on the Implementation of the Ottawa Treaty in West Africa, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, 28-29 January 2004. The stockpile includes: 2,951 PMD-6; 1,037 POMZ-2; six PMN; two M969; one M409. Article 7 Report, Form B, 14 June 2005.

[8 ]At the Review Conference, the Foreign Minister said that destruction did not take place as planned because of reasons “independent from our will.” Statement by Soares Sambu, Minister of Foreign Affairs, First Review Conference, Nairobi, 2 December 2004. Translation by Landmine Monitor.

[9 ]Article 7 Report, Form B, 13 May 2003.

[10 ]Oral remarks to the Standing Committee on Stockpile Destruction, Geneva, 15 June 2005 (Landmine Monitor notes); Standing Committee on Stockpile Destruction, “Meeting Report,” Geneva, 24 June 2004.

[11 ]Article 7 Report, Forms B, D and F, 14 June 2005.

[12 ]Article 7 Report, Form D, 13 May 2004. See also CAAMI, “Action de la Guinee-Bissau concernant la mise en oeuvre de la Convention de Ottawa pour l’elimination des mines antipersonnel,” January 2004, p. 5. In May 2002, a CAAMI official had stated that “a maximum of 50 mines” would be retained for instruction purposes, of which “the majority would be inert” and “about five live mines” would be retained. See Landmine Monitor Report 2002, p. 286.

[13] Email from Tammy Hall, UNDP, Bissau, 22 August 2005.

[14 ]Article 7 Report, Form C, 14 June 2005.

[15 ]Article 7 Report, Form A, 14 June 2005.

[16 ]A 2002 Handicap International report found munitions as far as five kilometers away from the site of the blast. See Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p. 479, footnote 23.

[17 ]Article 7 Report, Form A, 14 June 2005.

[18 ]Interview with Marcelino Vaz, Coordinator, Acção para Desenvolvimento (Action for Development, AD), São Domingos, 20 April 2005. See also Landmine Monitor Report 2004, pp. 478, 703.

[19 ]Map of contamination (plano nacional de pesquisa 2003-2005) prepared by CAAMI/UNDP/UNOPS provided to Landmine Monitor by CAAMI, July 2004; see also Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p. 479.

[20 ]See Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p. 479.

[21 ]Presentation by Guinea-Bissau, Standing Committee on Mine Clearance, Mine Risk Education and Mine Action Technologies, Geneva, 16 June 2005.

[22 ]Article 7 Report, Form A, 14 June 2005.

[23] Interview with Marcelino Vaz, AD, São Domingos, 20 April 2005. See also Article 7 Report, Form C, 14 June 2005.

[24 ]Article 7 Report, Form A and Annex 2, 14 June 2005. Annex 2 contains Decree No. 4 of 2001, published in the Official Bulletin on 17 September 2001. The decree formally mandated both CAAMI and CNDH.

[25 ]Article 7 Report, Form A, 14 June 2005.

[26] Email from Tammy Hall, UNDP, Bissau, 22 August 2005.

[27 ]Remarks by Sangi Fati, Operations Assistant, CAAMI, 25 April 2005.

[28 ]Article 7 Report, Form J, 14 June 2005; email from Tammy Hall, UNDP, Bissau, 9 August 2005.

[29 ]Interview with Sangi Fati, CAAMI, Bissau, 25 April 2005.

[30 ]Meetings with César Luis G. L. de Carvahlo, CAAMI, in Geneva, 16 June 2005, and with Sangi Fati, CAAMI, Bissau, 25 April 2005.

[31] Email from Tammy Hall, UNDP, Bissau, 5 September 2005.

[32] Presentation by Guinea-Bissau, Standing Committee on Mine Clearance, Mine Risk Education and Mine Action Technologies, Geneva, 16 June 2005.

[33 ]Interview with Sangi Fati, CAAMI, and Tammy Hall, UNDP, Bissau, 25 April 2005.

[34 ]Article 7 Report, Form C, 14 June 2005. See also map of contamination provided to Landmine Monitor by CAAMI, July 2004.

[35 ]Email from Tammy Hall, UNDP, Bissau, 9 August 2005.

[36 ]Interviews with Sangi Fati, CAAMI, 25 April 2005, and at LUTCAM, 22 April 2005; email from Stephane Pillet, Mines Assistant, Handicap International (HI), Lyon, 2 September 2005.

[37] Email from Tammy Hall, UNDP, Bissau, 9 August 2005.

[38 ]Presentation by Guinea-Bissau, Standing Committee on Mine Clearance, Mine Risk Education and Mine Action Technologies, Geneva, 16 June 2005.

[39] Article 7 Report, Form C, 14 June 2005.

[40] Information provided by CAAMI, Bissau, 16 August 2005.

[41] Information provided by CAAMI, Bissau, 16 August 2005. CAAMI report 120 antipersonnel mines destroyed since 2003 but provided statistics that add to 130.

[42 ]Email from Tammy Hall, UNDP, Bissau, 22 August 2005; Article 7 Report, Form G, 14 June 2005.

[43 ]Email from Tammy Hall, UNDP, Bissau, 22 August 2005.

[44 ]Information provided by CAAMI, Bissau, 16 August 2005.

[45] Information provided by CAAMI, Bissau, 16 August 2005; email from Tammy Hall, UNDP, Bissau, 9 August 2005.

[46 ]Information provided by CAAMI, Bissau, 16 August 2005; email from Tammy Hall, UNDP, Bissau, 9 August 2005.

[47 ]Response to Landmine Monitor Questionnaire by Olivier Shu, Project Manager, HI, Bissau, 4 August 2005.

[48] Emails from Tammy Hall, UNDP, Bissau, 9 and 19 August 2005.

[49] Email from Tammy Hall, UNDP, Bissau, 9 August 2005.

[50] Email from Tammy Hall, UNDP, Bissau, 19 August 2005.

[51 ]Article 7 Report, Form F, 14 June 2005; interview with Sangi Fati, CAAMI, Bissau, 25 April 2005.

[52 ]Email from Tammy Hall, UNDP, Bissau, 9 August 2005.

[53] See Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p. 481.

[54 ]Interview with Paulo Sambui, school inspector and MRE worker, São Domingos, 20 April 2005.

[55 ]Email from Tammy Hall, UNDP, Bissau, 9 August 2005.

[56] Email from Tammy Hall, UNDP, Bissau, 19 August 2005.

[57] Interview with Irene Laval, MRE Officer, CAAMI Bissau, 25 April 2005.

[58 ]Article 7 Report, Form I, 14 June 2005.

[59 ]Interviews with Ensa Sano, a journalist and presenter for Community Radio Kasumay, São Domingos, 20 April 2005, and Irene Laval, CAAMI, Bissau, 25 April 2005.

[60] Email from Stephane Pillet, HI, 2 September 2005.

[61 ]Email from Tammy Hall, UNDP, Bissau, 9 August 2005.

[62 ]See Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p. 482.

[63] Mine Action Investments database; emails from Elvan Isikozlu, Mine Action Team, Foreign Affairs Canada, June-August 2005; email from Tammy Hall, UNDP, Bissau, 9 August 2005. Average exchange rate for 2004: US$1= C$1.3017. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 3 January 2005.

[64] Article 7 Report, Form J, 14 June 2005; email from Dirk Roland Haupt, Federal Foreign Office, Division 241, 25 July 2005; see Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p. 482. Average exchange rate for 2004: €1 = $1.2438, used throughout this report. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 3 January 2005.

[65 ]UNDP mine action website, www.undp.org/bcpr/mineaction; see also Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p. 482.

[66 ]Interview with Irene Laval, CAAMI, Bissau, 25 April 2005, and Geneva, 16 June 2005. These amounts have not been identified in donor reports and are not included in the Landmine Monitor estimate.

[67 ]UNDP, “Guinea-Bissau Seeks Help to Be First in Africa to Eliminate Landmines,” Press Release, 15 January 2004; see Landmine Monitor Report 2004. p. 482.

[68 ]UN, “Country profile: Guinea Bissau,” www.mineaction.org.

[69] “Security Council urges commitment to peaceful electoral process,” UN Information Service, 1 April 2005.

[70 ]EU, “European Roadmap Towards a Zero-Victim Target; the EU mine action strategy and multi-annual indicative programming 2005-2007,” p. 34.

[71 ]“Report of the Secretary-General on developments in Guinea-Bissau and on the activities of the UN Peacebuilding Support Office in that country,” UN Security Council, New York, 16 March 2005.

[72] Email from Stephane Pillet, HI, 2 September 2005.

[73 ]Email to Landmine Monitor (HI) from Tammy Hall, UNDP, Bissau, 8 August 2005.

[74 ]For details see Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p. 482.

[75 ]Email to Landmine Monitor (HI) from Tammy Hall, UNDP, Bissau, 31 August 2005.

[76 ]Email to Landmine Monitor (HI) from Tammy Hall, UNDP, Bissau, 8 August 2005; presentation by Guinea-Bissau, Workshop on Advancing Landmine Victim Assistance in Africa, Nairobi, 31 May-2 June 2005; see also Landmine Monitor Report 2004, pp. 482-483.

[77 ]Email to Landmine Monitor (HI) from Tammy Hall, UNDP, Bissau, 8 August 2005.

[78 ]Landmine Monitor informal talks with community radio staff, São Domingos, 20 and 21 April 2005.

[79 ]Email to Landmine Monitor (HI) from Tammy Hall, UNDP, Bissau, 8 August 2005. These casualties are not included in the CAAMI database.

[80 ]United Nations, “Final Report, First Review Conference of the States Parties to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction,” Nairobi, 29 November-3 December 2004, APLC/CONF/2004/5, 9 February 2005, p. 33.

[81] Presentation by Guinea-Bissau, Standing Committee on Victim Assistance and Socio-Economic Reintegration, Geneva, 16 June 2005; presentation by Guinea-Bissau, Workshop on Advancing Landmine Victim Assistance in Africa, Nairobi, 31 May-2 June 2005.

[82] Article 7 Report, Form J, 14 June 2005.

[83 ]Presentation by Guinea-Bissau, Standing Committee on Victim Assistance and Socio-Economic Reintegration, Geneva, 16 June 2005; presentation by Guinea-Bissau, Workshop on Advancing Landmine Victim Assistance in Africa, Nairobi, 31 May-2 June 2005; email to Landmine Monitor (HI) from Tammy Hall, UNDP, Bissau, 8 August 2005; for more information, see also Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p. 483.

[84] Article 7 Report, Form J, 14 June 2005; email to Landmine Monitor (HI) from Tammy Hall, UNDP, Bissau, 8 August 2005.

[85] UNMAS, “Portfolio of Mine Action Projects: 2004,” p. 207; see also www.mineaction.org.

[86 ]Email to Landmine Monitor (HI) from Tammy Hall, UNDP, Bissau, 8 August 2005; see also “Cuba retoma cooperação nas áreas da Saúde e Educação,” in Noticias Lusófonas,

www.centrodeemergencia.com/guinebissau/ accessed 31 March 2005.

[87] Presentation by Guinea-Bissau, Standing Committee on Victim Assistance and Socio-Economic Reintegration, Geneva, 16 June 2005; for more information, see Landmine Monitor Report 2004, pp. 483-484.

[88 ]Presentation by Guinea-Bissau, Workshop on Advancing Landmine Victim Assistance in Africa, Nairobi, 31 May-2 June 2005; interview with Irene Laval, CAAMI, Geneva, 16 June 2005.

[89] Email to Landmine Monitor (HI) from Tammy Hall, UNDP, Bissau, 8 August 2005; for more information see Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p. 484.

[90 ]Presentation by Guinea-Bissau, Standing Committee on Victim Assistance and Socio-Economic Reintegration, Geneva, 16 June 2005.

[91 ]Interview with Irene Laval, CAAMI, Bissau, 25 April 2005.

[92] Article 7 Report, Form J, 14 June 2005; presentation by Guinea-Bissau, Standing Committee on Victim Assistance and Socio-Economic Reintegration, Geneva, 16 June 2005; email to Landmine Monitor (HI) from Tammy Hall, UNDP, Bissau, 8 August 2005.

[93 ]Email to Landmine Monitor (HI) from Petra Schroeter, Associate, Programs Department, HI, Lyon, 31 August 2005.

[94 ]Article 7 Report, Form J, 14 June 2005.

[95 ]US Department of State, “Country Reports on Human Rights Practices-2004: Guinea-Bissau,” Washington DC, 28 February 2005; see also Landmine Monitor Report 2004, pp. 484-485.

[96] Presentation by Guinea-Bissau, Standing Committee on Victim Assistance and Socio-Economic Reintegration, Geneva, 16 June 2005.

[97] Email to Landmine Monitor (HI) from Tammy Hall, UNDP, Bissau, 8 August 2005.

[98] Presentation by Guinea-Bissau, Standing Committee on Victim Assistance and Socio-Economic Reintegration, Geneva, 16 June 2005.