afrol News, 20 April - At last, the dangers caused by land mines and light weapons have become a concern to officials of the EU and AU. The two groupings formalised a joint commitment to curb the proliferation of mines and light weapons at the end of a three-day meeting in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa.

The meeting coincides with the tenth anniversary of the Ottawa Convention of 1997 – a premier convention to ban the production, sale and stocking of mines and light weapons.

Both officials agree to promote and respect conventions on mines and light weapons in Europe and Africa.

According to estimates, mines and unexplosive devices kill or maim 40 people every day.

But the Director of Peace and Security Department at the African Union, Jeffrey Mugumya, says the African continent is the major victim of mines and light weapons.

The African countries in conflict - Eritrea, Angola, Ethiopia, Somalia, Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan – believe to be facing the greatest damage caused by mines and light weapons in the continent.

Tim Clarke, who heads the AU team, says the effects of mines and illicit arms trafficking constitute serious obstacles to social and economic development in Africa.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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