United Nations officials have raised urgent concerns over the growing threat of landmines and unexploded munitions in Ethiopia and Sudan, calling for increased funding and global attention to prevent further loss of life.
Speaking at UN headquarters in New York, the head of the UN Mine Action Programme in Ethiopia, Rob Syfret, warned that the country risks becoming a “forgotten post-conflict” zone. He stressed that hidden explosives continue to kill and injure civilians even during peacetime, with children making up more than half of the victims. Over the past five years alone, Ethiopia has recorded at least 1,500 casualties from explosive remnants of war.
In Sudan, the situation is described as even more alarming. Mohammad Sediq Rashid, head of the UN Mine Action Programme in Sudan, said explosive hazards are widespread across the capital Khartoum — found in homes, schools, hospitals, and critical infrastructure.
Despite the Sudanese army regaining control of Khartoum from the Rapid Support Forces, Rashid emphasized that rebuilding the city cannot begin until these deadly hazards are cleared. He noted that around 13 million people are currently at risk due to contamination from both past conflicts and the ongoing civil war.
According to the 2025 Landmine Monitor report, civilian deaths and injuries from landmines have reached their highest levels in four years, underscoring the urgent need for international support.
UN officials warn that without immediate funding and coordinated action, communities in both countries will remain unable to return home safely, threatening long-term stability and recovery in the region.
