THE AFRICAN NUCLEAR WEAPON FREE ZONE TREATY: A POTENT HARBINGER FOR THE NEUTRALISATION OF NUCLEAR ARMAMENT?

Abstract

The  African  Nuclear  Weapon  Free  Zone  Treaty  (Treaty  of  Pelindaba),  2009,  is  a  strategic  instrument  primarily concerned  with  preventing  the  proliferation  of  nuclear  weapons  and  the  establishment  of  the  African  Nuclear Weapons  Free  Zone  (ANWFZ).  This  article  seeks  to  undertake  an  overview  of  the  Treaty  of  Pelindaba  and  to examine  its quandaries and prospects. It utilizes the  qualitative  research methodology  for information. The  article finds that the efficacy of the treaty is whittled by fundamental glitches such as non-ratification of the treaty by some African  States  and  non-ratification  of  Protocols  to  the  treaty  by  Nuclear  Weapon  States  (NWS).  The  article recommends  that  the  entire  African  States  and  NWS  should  ratify  and  implement  the  provisions  of  the  treaty  and relevant  protocols.  It  also  implores  the  international community  to  unanimously  establish  a  global  multilateral treaty  to  the  effect  that  the  acquisition,  test,  possession,  threat  or  use  of  nuclear  weapon  under  any  circumstance whatsoever including self-defense  is unlawful and asphyxiates human existence. The article  espouses the  view that the treaty is a pragmatic approach towards achieving non-proliferation and neutralization of nuclear weapon in the African Continent.