The United Nations has confirmed that the Royal Moroccan Army has destroyed a significant stockpile of unexploded ordnance (UXO) across the Sahara region, neutralizing thousands of dangerous devices left behind from past conflicts. According to the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), more than 13,000 UXO have been safely eliminated under MINURSO supervision since the beginning of 2024.
In its latest report, UNMAS revealed that military observers from the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) monitored 67 controlled demolition operations carried out by Moroccan demining units. These missions resulted in the destruction of 13,850 UXO munitions, 116 landmines, and 2,900 small arms rounds scattered across remote desert zones.
UNMAS emphasized that the operations were conducted by specialized Moroccan demining teams in close coordination with MINURSO’s technical experts, reflecting ongoing collaboration between the UN and Moroccan authorities to mitigate the long-standing dangers posed by explosive remnants of war.
The UN reiterated that UXO continues to endanger residents, nomadic communities, humanitarian workers, and military patrols. Harsh desert conditions—marked by shifting dunes, extreme temperatures, and erosion—often expose or displace old munitions, making regular clearance missions essential for safety.
According to UNMAS, the rise in demolition activities since 2024 signifies strengthened security efforts aligned with technical agreements between Rabat and MINURSO. These initiatives aim to reduce accidents, improve movement across isolated areas, and support socio-economic development by securing routes used for trade, herding, and civilian travel.
The UN describes ongoing clearance operations as a “critical pillar for regional stability,” stressing that removing explosive hazards is vital for safeguarding communities and enabling future infrastructural and humanitarian projects throughout the Sahara.
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Source:Africa Publicity
