Prince Harry Returns to Angola to Back Landmine Clearance Efforts

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Prince Harry has paid a return visit to Angola’s Cuando province, shining a light on the devastating legacy of landmines and reaffirming his late mother’s mission to rid the country of hidden wartime dangers.

The Duke of Sussex travelled to the minefield alongside the HALO Trust, a non-profit organization dedicated to landmine clearance. There, he engaged with local communities, delivered vital safety messages to children, and voiced his support for a mine-free Angola.

This latest visit follows in the footsteps of Princess Diana, whose iconic 1997 walk through a cleared path in a minefield near Huambo captured global attention and helped galvanise international calls for a landmine ban. The Princess’s legacy continues to resonate across Angola, where the dangers of unexploded ordnance still loom large for many families.

Speaking from the remote village of Mawano, Prince Harry underlined the urgency of mine clearance and the protection of vulnerable children: “Children should never have to live in fear of playing outside or walking to school. Here in Angola, over three decades later, the remnants of war still threaten lives every day.” The HALO Trust said Harry assisted in delivering “life-saving messages” in Portuguese to the local children, including crucial warnings like “stop, go back and tell your elders”.

Local Voices

During the visit, Prince Harry met with families living near active minefields and listened to their stories. Many spoke of their daily risks, including the inability to farm safely or allow children to roam freely. Harry’s presence was warmly welcomed, with locals expressing appreciation for the ongoing attention brought to their plight.

The Duke also met Angola’s President João Lourenço in the capital earlier in the week. Discussions centred on expanding support for mine clearance and ensuring communities receive the resources needed to recover. The HALO Trust confirmed Prince Harry’s continued commitment to their mission, with plans for a renewed three-year contract to further demining operations.

James Cowan, Chief Executive of the HALO Trust, said: “We thanked him for his extraordinary dedication to and investment in the vision of a mine-free country.” He added that the charity will maintain its work “in solidarity with the Angolan people until every last mine is cleared.”

This is not Prince Harry’s first time on the ground with HALO. In 2019, during an official tour of Africa with his wife, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, he walked through a partially cleared minefield. He triggered a controlled explosion to raise awareness about the dangers beneath the soil.

Angola remains one of the most heavily mined countries in the world, a tragic consequence of its civil war from 1975 to 2002. HALO reports that over 88,000 people have fallen victim to landmines since the war began, with approximately 1,000 known minefields still awaiting clearance.

Founded in 1988 after the war in Afghanistan, the HALO Trust now operates globally across Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. Its work is critical in helping post-conflict communities recover and regain access to safe land.

Today, the once-dangerous minefield where Princess Diana made headlines is home to schools, markets, and a growing population. It stands as a symbol of what is possible when international will and community determination come together. Prince Harry’s return underscores that the mission is far from over, but real progress is being made.