“This paper examines the ways in which the
establishment of peacekeeping standby forces at the continental and sub-regional levels in Africa requires a focus on landmines and how efforts to eradicate landmines fit into discussions on common defence policies and
peacekeeping. It provides an overview of some recent political initiatives, at the
international, regional and national levels on developing a stand-by African peace- keeping capacity and on African progress in implementing the Ottawa Convention, which bans anti-personnel landmine production, stockpiling and use. The paper concludes by arguing that international commitments aside,
any discussion on deploying peacekeeping forces in Africa needs to take cognisance of the landmine realities that exist across the continent and the steps that are being taken to counter the use of these weapons.”
