NMAC: Landmine Clearance Still Underway in Medani

Medani- Sudanhorizon
The Sudan National Mine Action Center (NMAC) has refuted the accuracy of reports being circulated by social media and media platforms that the city of Wad Madani, the capital of Al Gezira state, was now free of mines and remnants of war.
The center confirmed that clearance operations are still underway and are carried out in collaboration with the Engineering Corps of the Armed Forces and the state authorities, to ensure the safe return and safety of civilians.
A statement issued by the center on Thursday explained that “what is being published about the completion of mine clearance operations in the city of Madani is inaccurate,” noting that technical teams will work hard to check all the contaminated areas, with the support of local and international partners, and a focus on residential and agricultural areas which are most at risk.
The statement received by Sudanhorizon has also stressed that “the work has not yet been completed, and it is not recommended to return to areas suspected of being contaminated except after official declaration of the area as mine free.”
The statement added that awareness efforts about the hazard of mines and remnants of war are being implemented in parallel with the clearance operations, as intensive enlightenment campaigns are being carried out for the state’s residents, especially in rural areas, to avoid accidents.
The center has called on citizens to “cooperate with the working teams, and avoid any information not hailing from official sources and to immediately report any suspicious objects through the designated channels.”
It is worth noting that Gezira State is littered with landmine polluted areas as a result of the battles that took place there, which may put at risk the lives of thousands of civilians and hinder development efforts.
The center warned that “rushing to declare safe areas without professional standards being applied may put civilian lives at risk.”