Angola

For more than forty years Angola has faced conflict. From 1961-1975, there was the struggle for independence from Portuguese rule. This was followed by a period of civil war which, in one form or another, extended until 2001, when the UNITA leader Jonas Savimbi was killed in an ambush. This led to a cease-fire, armistice and peace. As a result of these 40 years of war the country has suffered a terrible legacy of unexploded mines and other weapons. Photographer Sean Sutton, who works alongside MAG (Mines Advisory Group) has recorded the impact that this has had on the country and its people, as well the work of those clearing the mines. MAG has been working in Angola for more than 10 years, clearing tens of thousands of landmines and items of unexploded ordnance. The book is introduced by Heather Mills who is a patron of MAG and has campaigned vigorously on the issue of landmines. There is also a text by the renowned photojournalist Tim Page whose photographs during the Vietnam War were published worldwide. Page is the subject of many documentaries, two films and the author of nine books. Lou McGrath, Director of MAG, contributes a further text contextualising the work of landmine clearance.