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12 Facts About The Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone Treaty In Africa

12 Facts About The Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone Treaty In Africa

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If you’re unclear on the terms and reach of the Nuclear Weapon Free Zone Treaty in Africa, you’re not alone. Finalization of the treaty has been ongoing since 1965. The treaty drifts in and out of the media spotlight, and information seems to shift constantly. But here are 12 facts about the Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone Treaty in Africa.

Sources: Nti.org, Miis.edu, State.gov

Wikipedia.org
Wikipedia.org

 

Africa has sought to be a nuclear-free zone since 1964

In 1964, the Organization of African Unity said at its first summit in Cairo that it would work to write up a treaty for the denuclearization of Africa. It wasn’t until 1996 that the treaty was opened for signatures. The treaty finally came to effect in 2009, after its 28th ratification.

Wikipedia.org
Wikipedia.org

What is it?

The United Nations defines a nuclear weapons-free zone (NWFZ) as a group of countries that agreed to ban the use, development or deployment of nuclear weapons.

Wikipedia.org
Wikipedia.org

Waste cannot be dumped within the NWFZ

Under the treaty, no country can dump any radioactive waste within the areas protected by the treaty.

Wikipedia.org
Wikipedia.org

 

There still exist nuclear centers

Under the treaty, there can be peaceful nuclear installations within the areas protected by the treaty. Non-war-related activities and research can take place at these nuclear installations.

Wikipedia.org
Wikipedia.org

Each country still makes its own laws regarding foreign visitation

Within the treaty, each country can still set its own laws regarding visits from foreign ships. Each country also still has freedom of navigation, and can travel through territorial waters that do not adhere to the treaty.

Wikimedia.org
Wikimedia.org

The treaty does apply to African waters

The zones included in the treaty also cover any internal waters, territorial seas, archipelagic waters, and airspace above African lands, islands or waters. This even extends to the sea soil beneath the waters.

Wikipedia.org
Wikipedia.org

 

These areas do not apply

The following areas are not mentioned in the treaty: mid-ocean islands of St. Helena, including Ascension Island, Tristan da Cunha, Bouvet Island, the Crozet Islands, Kerguelen, Île Amsetrdam, American Samoa and Île Saint-Paul.

meed.com
meed.com

Arab countries are not entirely behind the treaty

In 1996, the year the treaty was opened for signature, some African Arab countries said they would not sign the treaty until Israel renounced its nuclear weapons program. Since then, Libya, Algeria, and Mauritania have come forward and signed the treaty. The following are Arab countries that have signed and ratified the treaty: Algeria, Comoros, Libya, Mauritania. The following are countries that have signed but not ratified: Egypt, Morocco, Somalia, Sudan. When a country signs a treaty, they are essentially consenting to its existence, but only once the terms of the treaty have been agreed upon within each country’s own national proceedings can it be ratified. Once a state has approved of the treaty under its own internal procedures (for example, some countries must get approval from parliament), that state or country can notify the other parties involved in the treaty that they agree to be officially bound to the treaty.

Wikimedia.org
Wikimedia.org

 

The United Nations General Assembly is behind it

The United Nations for years has been asking any African countries that have not yet ratified the treaty to do so, so that it can go into full effect as soon as possible. The following countries have not yet ratified the treaty: Angola, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Liberia, Morocco, Niger, São Tomé & Príncipe, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan and Uganda.

telegraph.co.uk
telegraph.co.uk

 

Hillary Clinton is involved

The United States played a large role in writing up the final version of the treaty and protocols. In 2010 Hillary Clinton announced that the U.S. Senate will consult the Barack Obama Administration on signing the treaty.

Dw.de
Dw.de

There will be a commission dedicated to enforcing the treaty

The parties that sign or have signed the treaty agree to establish a commission that will set up programs for the peaceful use and research of nuclear science and technology. This commission will be called the African Commission of Nuclear Energy. In May of 2014, the following countries were elected to be members of AFCONE for three years: Algeria, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Mali, Mauritius, Senegal, South Africa, Togo, Tunisia and Zimbabwe. According to Peaceau.org, the members of AFCONE will “collate States Parties annual reports, review the application of peaceful nuclear activities and safeguards by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), bring into effect the complaints procedure, encourage regional and sub-regional cooperation, as well as promote international cooperation with extra-zonal States for the peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology.” The AFCONE Secretariat is based in Pretoria, South Africa.

Wikimedia.org
Wikimedia.org

 

AFCONE should help protect resources

The African Commission of Nuclear Energy is meant to encourage African countries to better protect their natural resources and nuclear material — including finding safe ways to dispose of nuclear waste.