Prince Harry Revisits Angola's Land Mines, Echoing His Mother's Legacy

In a poignant act echoing his mother’s legacy, Prince Harry's recent trip to Angola underscores the ongoing threat posed by land mines, as countries withdraw from treaties banning these deadly weapons.

Prince Harry, standing in a minefield in Angola, retraced his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales’ steps from 1997, drawing attention to the persistent danger of land mines. On Wednesday, Harry walked through a partially cleared area in Cuito Cuanavale, a stark reminder of the horrors that remain 28 years after his mother's visit during the country’s devastating civil war.

Diana’s landmark trek in January 1997 was pivotal in highlighting the dire consequences of land mines, leading to the vital United Nations convention that saw 164 nations sign a treaty banning these weapons. Sadly, the landscape has changed dramatically since then, with several nations now signaling their intent to abandon these agreements.

During his visit, Harry was accompanied by The Halo Trust, a British non-profit dedicated to land mine clearance. Their work is critical in regions like Angola, where the legacy of conflict continues to claim lives; reports indicate at least 60,000 casualties since 2008, with a disturbing count of 80 fatalities in just the last five years despite ongoing de-mining operations.

Harry’s visit underscores the urgency of the situation. Recent geopolitical tensions have prompted countries such as Poland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania to announce their withdrawal from the anti-land mine treaty, citing deteriorating security since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The increasing use of anti-personnel mines in current conflicts, including Ukraine, raises grave concerns about the potential resurgence of these indiscriminate weapons.

With Harry actively participating in de-mining efforts, he helped destroy two anti-tank mines, a symbolic act amid a troubling backdrop of nations reconsidering their commitments to banning such armaments. As the world remembers Diana’s efforts, Prince Harry’s journey serves as a call to action to confront the deep-seated challenges posed by land mines, which inflict unimaginable trauma on civilian populations.