• Council of the EU
• Press release
• 16 March 2026 11:25

Disarmament: Council adopts decision supporting African capacities towards a mine-free continent

The Council today adopted a decision supporting efforts to strengthen African capacities for mine action, contributing to the objective of a mine-free Africa.

Through this decision, the EU will support African countries affected by anti-personnel landmines in strengthening their national mine-action programmes and accelerating progress towards fulfilling their international obligations.

The EU’s support will help build national capacities for mine clearance, promote the development of effective clearance strategies and facilitate the exchange of expertise among affected states. The action will also contribute to improving the safety, livelihoods and development prospects of communities living in mine-affected areas, as well as fostering regional peace and security.

With a budget of €3 million and a duration of 36 months, the project will be implemented by the United Nations institute for disarmament research (UNIDIR) and is expected to benefit several African countries, including Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, Senegal, South Sudan and Zimbabwe.

Next steps

Following the adoption of the decision, the implementation will be carried out by UNIDIR in cooperation with the EU and relevant African partners. Activities will focus on strengthening national mine-action capacities, supporting clearance efforts and promoting the exchange of best practices among affected states.

Background

Anti-personnel landmines continue to pose a serious threat to civilians and hamper development in many parts of the world, including Africa. Landmines are covered by the Ottawa Convention, which entered into effect since March 1999 and constitutes the central international framework for ending the suffering and casualties caused by anti-personnel mines. As of 2026, 161 states are party to the Convention, including most of the African countries. However, several African states still have obligations under Article 5 of the Convention to clear mined areas under their jurisdiction.

The EU has long been a strong supporter of global efforts to eliminate anti-personnel landmines and address their humanitarian consequences. The EU is among the leading global donors in the field of mine action. The decision adopted today contributes to the implementation of the Siem Reap-Angkor action plan (2025-2029), which sets out the priorities for the global mine-action community to advance towards a world free of anti-personnel landmines.

• Disarmament, Non-Proliferation and Arms Export Control (EEAS)
• EU-Africa relations (background information)

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Topics
- Foreign affairs
- Development
- Sub-Saharan Africa

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