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🛒 تسوق الآنUNSMIL explores Tunisian expertise to accelerate mine clearance across Libya
UNSMIL explores Tunisian expertise to accelerate mine clearance across Libya
Landmine contamination remains one of Libya's deadliest legacies from years of armed conflict
The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) is actively pursuing specialised cooperation with Tunisia to strengthen Libya's capacity in mine clearance and explosive ordnance disposal. A senior UNSMIL delegation recently visited the Tunisian Centre of Excellence for Countering Improvised Explosive Devices in Bizerte to explore training and technical partnerships.
The visit was led by Ulrika Richardson, Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Resident Coordinator in Libya, accompanied by a delegation from the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS). German and Italian military attachés also attended the discussions, signalling broad international support for the initiative.
Why mine clearance is urgent for Libya
Libya remains one of the most landmine-contaminated countries in North Africa, with explosive remnants of war (ERW) scattered across former frontlines from the 2011 uprising and subsequent conflicts. Civilians, particularly in cities such as Sirte, Benghazi, and Misrata, continue to suffer casualties from unexploded ordnance and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
According to the UN, landmines and ERW have killed and injured hundreds of Libyans since 2011, with children accounting for a disproportionate share of casualties. The contamination also prevents safe access to agricultural land, disrupts reconstruction efforts, and hampers the return of internally displaced families to their homes.
The Tunisian Centre of Excellence: a regional hub for counter-IED training
Established in 2015, the Tunisian Centre of Excellence for Countering Improvised Explosive Devices in Bizerte has developed into a leading regional institution for training and capacity-building in explosive ordnance disposal and counter-IED operations. The centre was recently recognised by the UN Mine Action Service, further validating its expertise and operational standards.
During the visit, centre officials presented their training programmes and facilities, which focus on building national and regional expertise in detecting, disposing of, and countering explosive devices. The centre's curriculum covers everything from basic ordnance recognition to advanced disposal techniques, tailored to the specific threats present in conflict-affected regions.
What the cooperation could involve
Richardson stated that the centre's experience could complement Libya's existing capabilities, helping to protect civilians, reduce the risk of unplanned explosions, and support wider stabilisation efforts across the country. Specific areas of cooperation discussed include:
- Specialised training for Libyan demining personnel in disposing of explosive remnants of war
- Counter-IED capacity-building for Libyan security and military units
- Technical support for risk education campaigns targeting affected communities
- Joint assessment missions to identify priority clearance zones in Libya
- Knowledge exchange on advanced detection technologies and disposal methodologies
The involvement of German and Italian military attachés in the visit suggests that European partners may also contribute resources or technical support to the mine clearance initiative, recognising that explosive contamination poses a regional security challenge beyond Libya's borders.
The broader context: UNSMIL's stabilisation agenda
This initiative is part of UNSMIL's broader efforts to support Libyan-led stabilisation and security sector reform. The mission has been working with Libyan authorities, municipal councils, and civil society organisations to address the humanitarian and security consequences of landmine contamination.
Mine clearance is a prerequisite for safe returns of displaced populations and for the reconstruction of damaged infrastructure. The UN has repeatedly emphasised that clearing explosive hazards is essential for building trust in peace processes and enabling economic recovery in affected areas.
Libya's path forward
While UNSMIL's engagement with the Tunisian centre marks a positive step, Libya still faces significant challenges in building a sustainable national mine action capacity. The country currently lacks a unified national mine action authority, adequate funding for clearance operations, and comprehensive data on contamination levels across its territory.
International partners, including the United Nations, the European Union, and individual member states, have called for increased funding and technical support for mine clearance in Libya. Humanitarian demining organisations operating in the country have emphasised that without sustained investment, the threat from landmines and ERW will persist for decades, continuing to claim lives and hinder development.
— Libya Press / Security Desk
