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The current "UXO Clearance of the Maya-Maya ‘Poudrière’ site" project involves Battle Area Clearance and Community Liaison activities near a former munitions depot on the outskirts of Brazzaville. |
The problem
Between 1993 and 2003 the Republic of Congo experienced successive periods of internal conflict, triggered by rising ethnic and political tensions provoked by moves to replace the one party regime which had governed the country for most of the post independence period.
The conflict was finally ended by a peace accord signed in 2003 which enabled the Government, led by President Sassou-Ngeusso, to launch a programme to demobilise former combatants and strengthen democratic institutions.
Some remnants of the civil war militias remain active in the Pool region, many have yet to disarm, and most have turned to banditry. Despite previous weapons destruction conducted by MAG and other international bodies, the Republic of Congo continues to be significantly contaminated by Explosive Remnants of War.
Many weapons and items of unexploded ordnance (UXO) are stored in military depots in highly populated areas, in conditions which pose a threat to human security. The presence of unsecured weapons and ammunition, with limited means of monitoring and control, provides opportunities for militia groups to rearm and could encourage illicit trade across any of five bordering countries.
Communities living and working close to military zones and depots are often at risk from ammunition store explosions. Spontaneous explosions have occurred on several occasions on the sites of former munitions dumps in Pointe Noire and Brazzaville.
These events have resulted in loss of life and the contamination of land used by local residents for livelihood activities and recreation, particularly on the Maya Maya “Poudrière” site adjoining the Brazzaville International Airport.
The UXO problem is compounded by the fact that, despite the visible danger of munitions, former military zones have nonetheless seen extensive construction and gradually been transformed into residential areas.
Your donation to MAG helps us to move into current and former conflict zones to clear the remnants of conflict, enabling recovery and assisting the development of affected populations.
How MAG is helping
In February 2011, MAG began implementing a 12-month EC-funded project – “UXO Clearance of the Maya-Maya ‘Poudrière’ site” – in Brazzaville. This project involves both Battle Area Clearance (BAC) and Community Liaison (CL) activities in the area surrounding a former munitions depot on the outskirts of Brazzaville.
The project involves two clearance teams, each consisting of six technicians seconded from the armed forces (Forces Armées Congolaises / FAC), being trained by MAG in the identification, handling and destruction of UXO, in order to mark and clear the contaminated area and release this land to the authorities.
Working with MAG’s CL team, community members will be trained to deliver Mine Risk Education to ensure that local populations are aware of the risks of UXO contamination and how to respond appropriately to this threat, so as to reduce the likelihood of further explosions, accidents and fatalities.
Through improving the security of local populations, and training members of the FAC in the disposal of Explosive Remnants of War, this project will contribute to the country's reconstruction efforts and socio-economic development.
MAG began operations in the Republic of Congo in September 2007, to provide technical support to the FAC in the destruction of hazardous items of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW), and to survey suspected contaminated areas.
Funded by the US Department of State's Office of Weapons Abatement and Removal and the UK Government’s Conflict Prevention Pool, a successful partnership was established with the Ministry of Defence, through which MAG delivered capacity-building support to FAC rmembers and destroyed large numbers of SALW and ammunition.
Since December 2007, MAG has destroyed 770,000 arms and munitions (weighing 141,065 kg) removed from stockpiles in urban centres around the country. In April 2009, MAG assisted in the demolition of 4,000 anti-personnel mines removed from military depots in Pointe Noire.
Beneficiaries
Beneficiaries of MAG's work have included:
• Local communities living in the explosive footprint of military depots, who benefit from a reduced likelihood of explosion from poorly stored or defective conventional weapons. This enables communities to safely engage in livelihood activities and income generation.
• Members of the FAC who have received on-site support in the development of their stockpile management and destruction capabilities, thus improving their skills.
• The population as a whole, who benefit from reduced access to SALW and therefore a reduced likelihood of violence.
• On a regional level, a reduction in the number of weapons available for sale/trafficking from the Republic of Congo impacts positively on security in neighbouring countries.
Find out more
- 750,000 dangerous items demolished in two years [Sep 2009]
- Rockets threat removed in Brazzaville [Nov 2009]
- Reuters AlertNet: Republic of Congo country profile [external]
- BBC: Republic of Congo country profile [external]
- Landmine & Cluster Munition Monitor: RoC country profile [external]
Photo (top): EC Ambassador Marcel van Opstal and other EC staff are given a tour of the contaminated Maya Maya “Poudrière”’ site by MAG and Forces Armées Congolaises.
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MAG thanks the current donors to its Republic of Congo operations: European Commission; Good Gifts.
May 2011
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