BUJUMBURA, BURUNDI - February 20 - At the opening of a roundtable discussion on landmines in the Central Africa region, the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) urged rapid implementation of key clauses in a ceasefire agreement in Burundi that prohibits mine-laying, requires marking and mapping of minefields, and the initiation of humanitarian mine clearance throughout the country.

“We are very pleased that peace is taking hold in Burundi, but the antipersonnel mine recognizes no ceasefire or peace agreement. This issue should be addressed without delay,” said Ms. Susan Walker, spokesperson for the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL). “We urge Burundi to address the humanitarian consequences of the recent antipersonnel mine use by locating and destroying these despicable weapons as quickly as possible.”

Burundi ratified the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty on 22 October 2003. Globally, 150 countries have joined the agreement including every sub-Saharan African state except Somalia. On 2 December 2002, the transitional government of Burundi and the the Conseil National pour le Défense de la Démocratie - Forces pour la Défense de la Démocratie (CNDD-FDD) signed a ceasefire agreement that includes a prohibition on mine-laying and requirements for mine action activities.

“We urge Burundi to address the needs of its growing number of mine victims and urge appropriate and comprehensive assistance for them over the long-term,” said Mr. Charles Ndayiziga of the Bujumbura-based Centre d'Alerte et de Prévention de Conflits Research, the ICBL’s country representative.

In 2002, there were at least 114 new civilian mine/unexploded ordnance casualties reported in Burundi. Burundi is mine-affected as a result of its internal conflict. According to the ICBL’s Landmine Monitor, as recently as 2002, there were credible allegations of antipersonnel landmine use by government and opposition forces. The government strongly denies the charges. The government has declared holding a stockpile of 1,200 antipersonnel mines, which it intends to retain for training in demining, as permitted by Article 3 of the Mine Ban Treaty.

“As one of the most recent countries to join the Mine Ban Treaty, we call on Burundi to adhere to the obligations contained in this important agreement,” said Ms. Mary Wareham, Global Research Coordinator for the ICBL’s Landmine Monitor initiative. “Burundi needs to enact domestic legislation to make this treaty binding law.”

The roundtable takes place in the lead-up to the 2004 Nairobi Summit on a Mine Free World, the First Review Conference of the Mine Ban Treaty, to be held in Kenya from 29 November to 3 December 2004. “It is critical that States Parties, especially those in Africa, follow through on the obligations contained in the treaty ahead of this crucial meeting,” said Walker. “We are disappointed that so few have enacted domestic legislation to implement the treaty. This is essential if the ban provisions are to have any teeth.”

ICBL members from Francophone Africa have been in Burundi this week for their annual meeting.

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