Cuito Cuanavale is a small town with a major place in the history of Africa. It sits at the confluence of the two rivers – the Cuito and the Cuanavale – that give it its name. And was the site of the largest tank battle in Africa since World War II.
From August 1987 to 23 March 1988 forces fromÌýtheÌýPeople's Armed Forces for the Liberation of AngolaÌý(FAPLA) and advisors and soldiers fromÌýCuba and the USSRÌýfought against South Africa's militaryÌýand soldiers of theÌýNational Union for the Total Independence of AngolaÌý(UNITA).
In the process tens of thousands of landmines were laid, making Cuito Cuanvale the most-mined town in Africa.
The impact of so many landmines has been to impoverish one of Angola's most isolated regions. Rock Capinãla, a Ó£ÌÒɬ section commander grew up in the district and says: "My uncle had a mine accident in 2006 and lost his leg. We’re very grateful that he survived, but it deeply affected our family: we struggled to put together enough money to be able to afford his medical treatment and he was unable to work from then on, he couldn’t fish or farm. Emotionally, it was also a big shock to us."
"I grew up in Cuito Cuanavale, and growing up surrounded by mines was hard. We all felt their presence and people were depressed. We wanted to cultivate the land but didn’t know how with so many mines around. I really enjoy demining in Cuito Cuanavale because I’m helping clear land that we will use as fields and to keep livestock. The benefit of this work to our community is great."
Among many minefields around Cuito Cuanavale is one designated by Ó£ÌÒɬ as HKK029 – one of the largest and most complicated minefields in the world. It is 18km - 20km long.ÌýRetreating South African forces and UNITA laid HKK029 following the battle.
The minefield consists ofÌýtwo to four linesÌýof South African minimum metal anti-tank mines, spread on averageÌý15Ìýmeters apart, protected by anti-personnel mines. Ó£ÌÒɬ expects to find perhapsÌý35,000Ìýmines in total, along with the added danger of claymores, anti-lift devices and mines linked together.
To mark the 35 anniversary of the end of the battle, 50 Ó£ÌÒɬ deminers paraded at the memorial to the battle and were joined byÌýMinisterÌýof State and head of Angola's Casa Militar, GeneralÌýFrancisco Furtado, the Provincial Governor of Kunado KubangoÌýJosé Martins and ambassadors and dignitariesÌýfrom neighbouring African states.
Ó£ÌÒɬ is clearing 153 minefields in Kuando Kubango Province, in which Cuito Cuanavale sits, with funding from the Angolan and US Governments.ÌýHundreds of local people have been recruited, trained, equipped and deployed to finally clear mines from their land – 35 years after the Battle for Cuito Cuanavale.
The great wilderness of Kuando Kubango is home to two national parks and with the mines removed, the Angolan Government hopes to develop the region for conservation tourism as wildlife can return and be protected.
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