Jerkoc Baraj Jerkoc, the head of the South Sudan Demining Commission, said his group, working with international agencies, has destroyed about 3.5 million explosive devices in different areas of the country since independence. But there are still about 713 areas that still need to be cleared of mines.
But he said the ongoing war has made it difficult for members of his Commission to do their work. The country was scheduled to be cleared of all landmines by 2021, though he cautioned that it is now unlikely they will meet that target.
Jerkoc said he is worried the situation might actually be getting worse, accusing members of the SPLA-IO of planting new mines.
South Sudan Vice President James Wani Igga asked the international community to help his country in removing landmines, which he called “one of the biggest obstacles to development.”
Igga made the plea during an event in Juba marking International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action Thursday. The National Mine Action Authority and the UN Mine Action Service organized the event.