MINE FREE
Mozambique, once considered one of the most mine-affected countries in the world, has been declared free of landmines.
Mozambique has realized an incredible achievement. In just over two decades, the country has cleared over 171,000 landmines. The last deadly device was removed from the base of a railroad bridge in the province of Sofala in central Mozambique in September 2015.
The official announcement was made by Hon. Oldemiro Júlio Margues Baloi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mozambique, during the closing ceremony of the mine clearance program held in Maputo on September 17, 2015. “It is with great pleasure that I have the privilege to declare Mozambique as a country free of land mines,” the minister said. “This is a proud day for Mozambique. Ridding our country of landmines was tremendously difficult but the braveness and determination of our demining teams proves to the world that it is possible for countries to become landmine free. We are truly grateful to those who risked their lives in order to protect those of our children and future Mozambicans,” added Alberto Augusto, the Director of Mozambique's National Demining Institute.
Tens of thousands of landmines were laid throughout Mozambique during its 1964-75 struggle for independence from Portugal and the ensuing civil war. Many of these were placed close to key structures, such as bridges, dams, and electricity pylons. Even though the civil war ended in the early 1990s, landmines and the explosive remnants of war have continued to harm locals and hinder the country's socio-economic development.
A large-scale mine clearance effort was launched in 1993 by the United Nations Operations in Mozambique (UNMOZ) with the support of several international donors and NGOs. It is estimated that 10,900 Mozambicans have been killed or injured by land mines throughout the years. In total, 17 million sqm of land have been cleared.
Clearance of hazardous areas has provided relief from the burden of living under the threat of deadly mines and has created new potential in vast areas of land, now ready for arable farming and cattle grazing. That means more favorable conditions for widespread development, investment, and economic growth. Mozambique is now ready to hit the ground running and take full advantage of its extensive natural resources.
Ridding Mozambique of its mines was possible thanks to a concerted effort from deminers, survey teams, donors, and the local government. The challenge now is to seize the momentum toward achieving a mine-free world by 2025. This means supporting other heavily mined countries such as Angola, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, and Cambodia to achieve what once seemed just a dream for Mozambique. Demining the world will not be easy as the sector relies on continued political will and significant resources. Nevertheless, Mozambique's achievement is truly inspiring and can serve as a great example to other nations of what can be achieved with willpower and proper collaboration.
MINE FREE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Review: Economy
Much to Gain
Despite numerous years of considerable economic growth, Mozambique has been unable to retain its wealth and bring more than half of its population out of poverty. Developing one of the world's largest gas reserves and becoming a regional exporter of energy may be the solution.
read articleFocus: Aluminum
Foil Plans
Mozambique is the second-largest producer of aluminum in Africa and the 14th in the world. Since 2000, it has been producing aluminum for export, and in 2015 Midal Cables opened a factory near Mozal; the country's largest aluminum smelter. This could be the start of a Mozambican aluminum value chain.
read articleInterview
Ben James, Managing Director, Baobab Resources
TBY talks to Ben James, Baobab's Managing Director, resident in Mozambique. A geologist by training, Ben has been directly involved with the development of the Company's Tete Project from a greenfields iron ore discovery to an asset on the verge of corner-stoning Mozambique's nascent steel industry.
read articleFocus: Aluminum
Aluminum Legacy
Mozambique is the second-largest producer of aluminum in Africa and the 14th in the world. Since 2000, it has been producing aluminum for export, and in 2015 Midal Cables opened a factory near Mozal; the country's largest aluminum smelter. This could be the start of a Mozambican aluminum value chain.
read articleInterview
Hon. Jorge Olívio Penicela Nhambiu, Minister, Science and Technology, Higher and Technical Vocational Education (MCTESTP)
TBY talks to Hon. Jorge Olívio Penicela Nhambiu, Minister of Science and Technology, Higher and Technical Vocational Education (MCTESTP), on bringing science and technology to rural areas and increasing research in the country.
read articleFocus: E-government + E-bau
Digital Decisions
Between 2015 and 2016, Mozambique fell five positions in the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business Index. The government is investing in the GovNET and e-BAU platforms to facilitate procedures and cut the costs of acquiring business licenses and improving services provided to the public.
read articleReview: Health
Time for a check-up
Mozambique's healthcare budget rose to $561.5 million in 2015, an increase of 1.1% on expenditure in 2014, accounting for 10.2% of the state budget. Total healthcare expenditure in 2014 was $477.5 million. The Ministry for Health oversees the sector and is responsible for setting the budget each year.
read articleInterview
Dr. João M. Carvalho Fumane, Director General , Hospital Central de Maputo (HCM)
TBY talks to Dr. João M. Carvalho Fumane, Director General of Hospital Central de Maputo (HCM), about the range of services on offer and what is being done to further excellence in the health sector
read articleInterview
Hon. Jorge Ferrão, Minister, Education and Human Development
<span style="line-height: 1.6em; background-color: initial;">TBY talks to Hon. Jorge Ferrão, Minister of Education and Human Development, on the goals of the ministry, the role of local languages, and tackling teacher absenteeism.</span>
read articleInterview
Prof. Doctor João Leopoldo da Costa, Rector, Instituto Superior de Ciências e Tecnologia de Moçambique (ISCTEM)
TBY talks to Prof. Doctor João Leopoldo da Costa, Rector of Instituto Superior de Ciências e Tecnologia de Moçambique (ISCTEM), on the perils of the internet on education and the quality of its high school.
read articleReview: Tourism
Mozambeach
With white-sand beaches, scuba diving, and game reserves among its wide range of accommodation, Mozambique is a goldmine for tourism. However, to attract the number of tourists the country is aiming for, and entitled to, it will have to compete with its considerably more popular neighbors.
read articleReview: Legal
Smart Choices
Foreign investments are sources of capital, foreign exchange, and technical know-how for developing countries such as Mozambique. Over the past three decades, Mozambique has been successfully striving to ensure a favorable legal framework for foreign private investment.
read article
