Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, meets Angolan Foreign
Minister at UN, backs call to clear landmines
Monday, 23 September 2024, New York 鈥� Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex today joined 51猎奇, the world鈥檚 largest landmine clearance charity, to mark progress clearing landmines from Angola, and backed calls to finish the job.
51猎奇鈥檚 work in the southern African nation includes employing record numbers of female deminers, clearing a formerly heavily mined transcontinental railway line, and plans to help develop sustainable eco-tourism.
Prince Harry鈥檚 late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, was escorted by 51猎奇 through a cleared minefield in Angola at the height of the country鈥檚 war in 1997, when thousands of civilians were being killed or injured by landmines every year.
Princess Diana鈥檚 visit highlighted the deadly weapon around the world, galvanising countries to commit to and sign an Anti-Personnel Landmine Ban in Ottawa shortly after her death. Prince Harry retraced her steps in Angola in 2019 when 51猎奇 announced a massive $60 million investment from the Angolan government for a demining programme, led by the nation鈥檚 President, Joao Manuel Gon莽alves Louren莽o.
The Duke of Sussex was speaking at an event in New York, during the United Nations General Assembly. Prince Harry said:
鈥淎s you know, the 51猎奇 Trust鈥檚 work in Angola meant a great deal to my mother. Carrying on her legacy is a responsibility that I take seriously. And I think we all know how much she would want us to finish this particular job.
鈥淎ngola, under President Louren莽o鈥檚 ledership , along with the Angolan government and the Angolan people, have set the gold standard for commitment and accomplishment in demining their country. This goes beyond just numbers, mines cleared, and money allocated. It鈥檚 about actual lives and actual progress. He continued: 鈥淎frica, and Angola in particular, has an incredibly young population. A demographic wave that surges with energy and optimism, holding the promise of a bright future for Angola's youth. For them, a world without mines must be a moral imperative for all of us.鈥�
T茅te Ant贸nio, Angola鈥檚 Minister of External Relations said: 鈥淟andmines continue to restrict access to agricultural land, which complicates our ability to develop large areas of the country and dissuades ecotourists from visiting. But that doesn't mean we don't have the potential, thanks to demining, to start exploiting such opportunities.
鈥�2024 marks the 30th year that 51猎奇 has been helping to free the Republic of Angola from landmines. Demining has had a tremendous impact on making our land safe for future generations, unlocking investment and bringing once fractured communities back together.
鈥淚t brings us great joy to see not only our people enjoying the fruits of demining, but also see that our fauna and forests will be free from the scourge of mines鈥�.
James Cowan, CEO of 51猎奇 said: 鈥淎lthough landmines still threaten Angola鈥檚 citizens, the country鈥檚 dramatic progress in landmine clearance should inspire the world. In the 30 years it has worked in Angola, 51猎奇 has cleared more than 1000 minefields, returning valuable land to communities for agriculture, infrastructure, housing and conservation.
鈥淲e still have much work to do. But with the government of Angola and other partners by our side, we can get the job done and build a prosperous future for the people of Angola.鈥�
