The landmine factor in the peacekeeping debate in Africa

Ways in which the establishment of peacekeeping standby forces at the continental and sub-regional levels in Africa requires a focus on landmines

The African continent faces the twinned challenges of on-going conflict and the widespread presence of anti-personnel landmines. While rarely linked at a policy level, in practice, with the deployment of an increasing number of peacekeeping forces across the continent, the two issues are closely related. This paper examines the ways in which the establishment of peacekeeping standby forces at the continental and sub-regional levels in Africa requires a focus on landmines and how efforts to eradicate landmines fit into discussions on common defence policies and peacekeeping across the continent.

Authors

Noel Stott and Kathryn Sturman are senior researchers at the ISS. Dr Jakkie Cilliers is the executive director of the ISS.