Prince Harry retraced Princess Diana's 1997 journey through Angola's minefield amid growing concerns as several countries prepare to withdraw from the international anti-landmine treaty. His visit underscores the persistent danger posed by land mines, especially in light of recent conflicts.
Prince Harry Highlights Resurgence of Land Mine Threat in Angola
Prince Harry Highlights Resurgence of Land Mine Threat in Angola
Following in his mother's footsteps, Prince Harry revisits Angola's minefields, spotlighting the alarming trend of countries withdrawing from the anti-landmine treaty.
In an evocative reminder of the lingering threat of land mines, Prince Harry walked through a minefield in Angola, echoing his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, who brought global attention to the issue during her visit in 1997. This symbolic journey on July 17, 2025, in Cuito Cuanavale, comes at a troubling time when several nations are reevaluating their commitment to the international anti-landmine treaty established following Diana’s groundbreaking visit.
During her 1997 trek, aimed at highlighting the humanitarian impact of land mines amid Angola's civil war, Diana wore protective gear and was surrounded by warning signs. Prince Harry’s recent trip, part of his ongoing mission with The Halo Trust, a British land mine clearance organization, involved navigating a partially cleared minefield and aiding in the destruction of two anti-tank mines, remnants of years of conflict between 1975 and 2002.
The historical timing of Harry's visit juxtaposed against the current geopolitical climate is striking. Just months after Diana's outreach, a landmark convention was created in which 164 nations committed to banning antipersonnel land mines. In stark contrast, this year, multiple countries, including Poland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, announced plans to withdraw from the treaty, citing security concerns exacerbated by Russia's aggression in Ukraine since 2022. Their exits are scheduled to be finalized in September and October.
The alarming resurgence of land mine usage, particularly highlighted in the ongoing war in Ukraine—where the United States has reportedly supplied such weapons—has raised significant fears over the return of these indiscriminate devices, which pose grave threats to civilians and children alike.
According to The Halo Trust, an estimated 60,000 individuals have been killed or injured by land mines in Angola since 2008, with the real toll likely much higher. Despite ongoing clearance operations, the legacy of these weapons continues to haunt the populations affected, as evidenced by 80 deaths reported in the past five years.
As Prince Harry carries forth his mother's legacy of raising awareness about this crucial issue, the world must grapple with the sobering reality of land mines and the increasing challenges to international treaties aimed at eradicating them.
