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Prince Harry has once again retraced the path of his late mother, Princess Diana, by walking through an active landmine zone in Angola. The powerful gesture, made in partnership with the British humanitarian organization The HALO Trust, was aimed at highlighting ongoing efforts to clear deadly landmines left behind from decades of civil conflict.
Wearing protective gear and accompanied by demining experts, the Duke of Sussex walked through a marked minefield near the village of Cuito Cuanavale in southern Angola the same region his mother visited in 1997. Diana’s visit, famously captured in global headlines, played a pivotal role in building momentum for the Ottawa Mine Ban Treaty, signed later that year.
This latest visit marks Prince Harry’s continued commitment to landmine advocacy, following a similar trip in 2019. Speaking during the campaign, representatives from HALO emphasized the symbolic and practical impact of Harry’s involvement.
“His presence shines a global spotlight on a crisis that still affects thousands,” a HALO spokesperson said.
Angola’s landmine crisis stems from its 27-year civil war, which lasted from 1975 to 2002. According to HALO Trust data, more than 60,000 people have been killed or injured by landmines in Angola since 2008. The organization has been operational in Angola since 1994 and has since destroyed over 120,000 landmines and 100,000 explosive remnants of war. Despite this progress, approximately 1,000 minefields remain uncleared.
For many in Angola, Prince Harry’s visit is more than symbolic it represents continued international support for rebuilding lives and ensuring safety in communities still haunted by war. His actions serve as a reminder that the mission his mother championed nearly three decades ago is far from complete.
The visit reinforces the message: removing landmines saves lives and creates lasting peace.