ISS Today: Africa and the humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons

Noel Stott, Senior Research Fellow, Transnational Threats and International Crime Division, ISS Pretoria 

Although the use of nuclear weapons is widely recognised as being inhumane, and despite an international agreement reached some 40 years ago to further the goal of nuclear disarmament, some states continue to aspire to possess them as a symbol of their power.

However, developing or maintaining nuclear weapons is not a symbol of strength, but rather a constant reminder of the catastrophic humanitarian suffering they caused in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Their mere existence today is therefore also a continuous threat of this occurring again. According to the African Union (AU), the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems remains one of the greatest threats to international peace and security, and a nuclear weapon detonation, whether intentional or accidental, could have catastrophic short- and long-term humanitarian, economic, developmental and environmental effects. Such a detonation would have global implications.

Chair's Summary Report on the Workshop on the Implementation of Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004) for African States

From 21 - 22 November, a Workshop on the Implementation of Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004) for African States, hosted by the Government of South Africa in collaboration with the African Union (AU), supported by the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) and with the facilitation of the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) took place in Pretoria, South Africa.

Below is the Chair's Summary Report:

Chair’s Summary Report on the Workshop on the Implementation of Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004) for African States

 

All other workshop-related documents can be downloaded HERE.

Workshop on the Implementation of Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004) for African States

A workshop on the Implementation of Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004) for African States was held from 21-22 November 2012, at the Sheraton Hotel, Pretoria, South Africa. The workshop was hosted by the Government of South Africa in collaboration with the African Union (AU), supported by the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) and with the facilitation of the Institute for Security Studies (ISS).

All documents related to the workshop can be found here: 1540 Workshop Documents

Second Conference of States Parties to the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty

The Second Conference of States Parties (CSP) to the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (ANWFZ) was held at the AU Conference Centre from 12 to 13 November 2012.

The African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty, also known as the Treaty of Pelindaba, was signed in Cairo in 1996 and entered into force on 15 July 2009. The Treaty prohibits the research, development, manufacture, stockpiling, acquisition, testing, possession, and stationing of nuclear explosive devices in the territory of States Parties as well as the dumping of radioactive waste. The Treaty further prohibits attacks against nuclear installations in the zone and requires States Parties to maintain the highest standards of physical protection of nuclear material, facilities and equipment, which are to be used exclusively for peaceful purposes.

Conference Documents:

• Draft Agenda 2nd Conference of State Parties to Pelindaba 
• Brief biographies of the Commissioners of the African Commission on Nuclear Energy

Namibia ratifies Treaty of Pelindaba

Namibia has become the 35th States Party to the Treaty of Pelindaba after depositing its instrument of ratification with the African Union. For a complete status list, click HERE.

Press Release: African Union Commission Working Towards Operationalisation of AFCONE

Addis Ababa, 26 May 2011: The Commission of the African Union (AU) will intensify its efforts in the coming weeks towards the early operationalisation of the African Commission on Nuclear Energy (AFCONE), including by finalising its Rules of Procedure, programme of work for 2011‐2013, structure, as well as advertising the position of the AFCONE Executive Secretary.

• Full Press Release
• Conclusions

The First Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Nuclear Energy (AFCONE), 4th May 2011, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

• Press release(Fr)
• Keynote Address by Ambassador Ramtane Lamamra Commissioner for Peace and Security of the African Union.
• Draft Agenda
• Concept Note

Cameroon Ratifies Treaty of Pelindaba

On 28 September 2010, Cameroon became the 31st African country to deposit its instrument of ratification to Africa's Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (Treaty of Pelindaba) with the African Union (AU), having ratified the Treaty on 11 June 2010.

The restructuring of the AU website may be a reason for the delay of the announcement. At the First Conference of States Parties which took place in Addis Ababa on 4 November 2010, the decision was made that one of the 12 Commissioners of the African Commission on Nuclear Energy (AFCONE) would come from Cameroon.

Click HERE for the latest Treaty of Pelindaba country list.

Afican Union Decision on the Report of the Peace and Security Council in its Activities and the State of Peace and Security in Africa - Assembly/AU/5(XVI)

The Assembly of the African Union Sixteenth Ordinary Session took place from 30 - 31 January 2011 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Included in the Decision on the Report of the Peace and Security Council in its Activities and the State of Peace and Security in Africa was a paragraph on the Treaty of Pelindaba.

The Assembly,

"29. WELCOMES the convening, by the Commission, of the 1st Conference of State Parties to the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone (Pelindaba Treaty) in Addis Ababa, on 4 November 2010, which elected the members of the African Commission on Nuclear Energy (ACNE) and established its headquarters in South Africa. The Assembly EXPRESSES AU’s conviction that the African Nuclear- Weapon-Free Zone constitutes an important step towards strengthening the non- proliferation regime, promoting cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, promoting general and complete disarmament, and enhancing regional and international peace and security. The Assembly CALLS UPON the AU Member States that have not yet done so, to sign and ratify the Treaty of Pelindaba without further delay, and APPEALS to the concerned non-African States to speedily sign and ratify the relevant Protocols to the Pelindaba Treaty and to comply with all the commitments contained therein;"

Click HERE for the full version of the Decision