The African Group reaffirms the central role of nuclear-weapon-free zones in consolidating the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, stating that nuclear-weapon-free zones play an important role in preventing the proliferation, “both vertical and horizontal, of nuclear weapons”.

The group explained during the ongoing NPT review conference (which started on April 27 and will end on May 22) that the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones “enhances global and regional peace and security, strengthens” the nuclear non-proliferation regime, and contributes towards the realisation of the objectives of nuclear disarmament.

“It is, therefore, our firm conviction that the long-overdue establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East, as mandated by the 1995 resolution, must be pursued with renewed and stronger determination and concrete steps, including through the work of the subsidiary body entrusted with this matter at the present conference,” it noted.

The group reiterated its commitment to the Treaty on the Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Africa (Treaty of Pelindaba), highlighting Africa as a nuclear-weapon-free zone and “as a shield for the African territory”, including by preventing the stationing of nuclear explosive devices and prohibiting testing of those weapons in the entire space that constitutes the continent.

The entry into force of the Pelindaba Treaty, on July 15, 2009, is the realisation of the Declaration on the Denuclearisation of Africa, adopted by the First Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the then Organisation of African Unity, held in July 1964, in Cairo, Egypt.

The declaration, according to the statement, was borne out of Africa’s deep concern with the effects resulting from the dissemination of nuclear weapons and, in particular, the nuclear testing undertaken in the atmosphere and underground in Africa by a nuclear-weapon state in the early 1960s.

The group asserted that “horizontal proliferation of nuclear weapons and nuclear weapon-sharing by states parties constitutes a clear violation of non-proliferation obligations undertaken by those nuclear weapon states under Article I and by those non-nuclear weapon states under Article II of the treaty, and could have serious consequences on the effectiveness, relevance and credibility of the treaty”.

It also mentioned that achieving universal adherence to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty “remains a matter of great importance” to Africa.

The group expressed belief that the CTBT “constitutes an indispensable instrument for halting the quantitative development of nuclear weapons, and that its early entry into force would represent a decisive contribution to the global disarmament and nonproliferation architecture”.

The group underscored the “particular responsibility borne by nuclear weapon states in this regard and calls upon all states that have not yet done so to sign and ratify the CTBT”.