The Duke of Sussex has concluded a landmark visit to Angola, where he renewed his commitment to a mine-free future and honoured his mother’s powerful legacy with The HALO Trust.
Nearly three decades after Diana, Princess of Wales, brought global attention to the dangers of landmines, Prince Harry walked in her footsteps – and alongside Angola’s leaders – to support the country’s efforts to clear the final remnants of war.
Continuing a Legacy of Compassion and Action
“As a father to young children, it breaks my heart to see innocent children still living and playing next to minefields,” said the Duke, after participating in a landmine safety education session in the remote village of Mawano. “All of us have a duty to protect children and future generations from the harms of war, both present and past.”
The session, part of HALO’s community outreach programme, saw Prince Harry repeat safety instructions in Portuguese, teaching local children how to recognize and avoid landmines. The very land where they now play, once an active minefield that The Duke himself walked back in 2013, now transformed thanks to years of dedicated clearance by Angolan men and women trained by HALO.
Partnering for Angola’s Future
The Duke’s visit coincided with the Angolan government’s announcement of a new three-year commitment to support landmine clearance, reinforcing its role as HALO’s largest single donor in Angola. During a meeting in Luanda with President João Lourenço, Prince Harry praised Angola’s visionary leadership:
“This commitment is about more than removing deadly devices. It’s about unlocking potential in a country that has so much—enabling children to walk to school safely, allowing farmers to grow crops, attracting sustainable development and bringing back wildlife tourism.”
This renewed partnership builds on earlier support announced during the Duke’s 2019 visit with HALO. Since then, over 20,000 landmines have been cleared in the Cuando Cubango region alone, with the support of the Angolan government.
A Strategic Vision for Peace and Prosperity
Prince Harry highlighted the strategic importance of ongoing clearance efforts, particularly around two critical regions:
The Lobito Corridor, a railway route linking Angola’s Atlantic coast with the heartlands of the DRC and Zambia.
The Okavango Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Botswana and vital water source for over one million people, relies on Angola’s headwaters. Clearing landmines here not only protects lives but supports much needed eco-tourism and exciting conservation efforts.
“This work isn’t just about removing explosives—it’s about enabling opportunity, development, and long-term peace.”
The HALO Trust is pioneering new technologies to make this work faster and safer, including magnetic resonance sensing detectors that are 30% more efficient than traditional methods, as well as highly successful drone tests that are being replicated in Ukraine.
A Message of Gratitude and Hope
At receptions hosted by the British Embassy and Angolan ministers, the Duke acknowledged the critical need of support from international donors including the UK, US, and private sector partners. He emphasized the critical role played by local HALO staff, many of whom are clearing the very communities they call home.
“I know HALO’s Angolan teams are proud of what they’re doing. We’re incredibly proud of them too. They’re not just removing landmines—they’re building a safer future for their families and neighbours.”
HALO CEO James Cowan added: “We are hugely grateful to President Lourenço for his leadership and to the Duke of Sussex for his personal commitment. This renewed commitment brings us one step closer to a mine-free Angola.”
Looking Ahead
Despite extraordinary progress, over 1,000 minefields remain across Angola—reminders of a civil war that ended over two decades ago. But with sustained leadership, funding, and international solidarity, the goal of a mine-free Angola is very much in reach.
At a war memorial in Cuito Cuanavale, the Duke issued a call to action:
“I urge all donors to stand with Angola in fighting the job. This is not just about landmines, It’s about healing the last wounds of war and giving future generations the peace they deserve.”
To learn more or support The HALO Trust’s work in Angola, visit halotrust.org.