Treaty of Pelindaba turns 5!

CTBTO - 15 July 2009 marked the entry into force of the Treaty of Pelindaba, making Africa a nuclear-weapon-free zone. It is the world’s most recent and largest such in terms of countries (53) and size (over 30 million km²). Virtually the entire southern hemisphere is now an area free of nuclear weapons.

The Pelindaba Treaty prohibits the testing, research, development, manufacturing, stockpiling, acquisition, possession, control and stationing of nuclear explosive devices in the territories of its member states. The treaty was opened for signature in Cairo on 11 April 1996.

Republic of Chad ratifies Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT)

The Republic of Chad has ratified the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), becoming the 159th State to do so.

Tibor Tóth, the Executive Secretary of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), welcomed the ratification as a step that ”consolidates Africa’s firm commitment to end nuclear testing and ultimately to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons.”

CTBTO Press Release: Guinea ratifies Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty

VIENNA – Guinea has become the 155th State to ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). Tibor Tóth, the Executive Secretary of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), hailed the ratification as “a step that further consolidates Africa’s dedication to end nuclear testing and acts as a powerful beacon for the rest of the world.” Last year’s entry into force of the Pelindaba Treaty established a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Africa, effectively making the entire southern hemisphere free of nuclear weapons.