Ethiopia starts mine clearing, sees establishing de-mining training institute for Eastern Africa

UN Mine Action Group to Visit Ethiopia

The Ethiopian Mine Action Office (EMAO) said Ethiopia is giving some thought to the establishment of a de-mining training center for the Eastern Africa region, head of the department of mine awareness with EMAO told Addis Tribune.

Berhane Achame said east African countries are obliged to send their experts abroad to obtain training in de-mining and the establishment of the training institute would help greatly in reducing expenses and in facilitating the speedy de-mining of the hundreds of thousands of mines laid in the region. The visit by the UN Mine Action Support Group would help map out future areas of cooperation between Ethiopia and the UN in de-mining efforts.

In Ethiopia, Berhane said, there are over one million mines laid from the times of the EPRDF- EPLF- Derg war, the Ethio- Somalia and the Ethio-Sudan war as well as the recent war fought between Ethiopia and Eritrea. Besides, Berhane said there are unexploded ordinance dropped from aero planes during war times in the country.

Berhane said the EMAO has commenced mine clearing this week with a team composed fully of Ethiopian personnel, in what he called two priority areas: Zalambessa in a place called Marta and in Gurhu Surnay, Inticho.

Building dog detecting capacity and mechanical de-mining are two of the areas that the Office would focus on in the future.

The UN Mine Action Support Group is expected to meet with high government officials, visit UN agencies, NGOs, and attend an open house function to mark the commencement of mine clearance by EMAO.

The Group's visit was originally scheduled for 22-24 May, but was postponed indefinitely on the last minute.