The African Regional Seminar on the Universalisation of the TPNW was held in Pretoria, South Africa, on 30-31 January 2023, and it was preceded by a full day ICAN Campaigners Meeting.
The Seminar has been co-hosted by South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), ICAN, and the International Committee of the Red Cross. 37 African states sent their senior government officials from their capitals to participate, Mexico and Malaysia were also represented.
CAMPAIGNERS MEETING
29TH JANUARY 2023
This session for campaigners began by painting the picture of what we want to see in the world and the explaining what ICAN is and what it stands for.
This was followed by a session on the success stories of those campaigners whose countries have successfully signed and ratified the TPNW. Of note was the Comoros story.
The Campaigners meeting helped much in networking with like-minded peace campaigners in Africa.
BRIEF OUTLOOK
Zimbabwe has signed but not yet ratified.
Kenya highlighted that the influence of campaigners from other countries could help.
Ethiopia is encountering some resistance.
In Central African Republic. awareness and literacy on Nuclear Weapons is very low.
In Comoros, diplomacy and non-confrontational approach brought results.
Key Areas Needing Attention Highlighted in the Campaigners Meeting.
Protocol challenges on whom to approach is hindering and delaying progress.
Lack of resources was sighted as another key challenge.
Great collaboration needed in supporting each other on social media growth and impact.
Networking is key to both information dissemination and advocacy.
AFRICA REGIONAL SEMINAR ON THE UNIVERSALISATION OF THE TPNW
30th January 2023
SESSION 1
The chair Mr Zaheer Laher of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa acknowledged the critical role of African States in the drive to have states ratify the TPNW.
Mr Alvin Botes the South African Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation highlighted South Africa’s commitment to a nuclear free world and exhorted every participant to utilise the seminar opportunity.
Ms Beatrice Fihn, Executive Director of ICAN highlighted the urgency of the matter and commended the African States that have ratified.
Mr Jules Amoti, Head of ICRC brought to the fore the catastrophic consequences of nuclear weapons which must never be underestimated. It our duty he said to see to it that as many countries ratify the TPNW. This he said is just the beginning and not an end.
SESSION 2
Sarah Mabheza, Regional Legal Advisor of ICRC Pretoria highlighted the Human Consequences of Nuclear Weapons.
The screening of video “Algeria - Point Zero the invisible Jerboa” brought to reality the consequences of nuclear weapons.
Edwick Madzimure spoke well on Transboundary effects of nuclear weapons use for Africa
SESSI0N 3
Relationship between the TPNW and the global and regional disarmament architecture was well articulated and Prof J Pretorius of the University of Western Cape painted a somewhat gloomy outlook as he encouraged more efforts and commitment towards the ratification of the TPNW.
Christopher Kayoshe of AU Commission narrated the AU history of commitment and support to the TPNW showing a hopeful outlook and great serious intention on the part of AU.
SESSION 4
States represented had an opportunity to speak on the progress and commitment towards the TPNW and below are some of the key highlights.
Zimbabwe has fully signed the treaty and fully supported it and was in the process of ratification.
Guinea-Bissau acknowledged all the supporting partners to the seminar and mentioned that every state has its own peculiarity and each state should play its role.
Nigeria indicated that it is fully behind the whole process, while Ghana was working towards ratifying.
Cape Verde encouraged the majority of present states to ratify the treaty.
Central African Republic said the country is on course.
31st January 2023
Mr Zahheer Laher showed that while Africa does not produce nuclear weapons it is however at the mercy of the producers.
Ambassador Syed Mohamad Aide the permanent representative of Malaysia to the United Nations spoke on the need for more commitment from the Africa States. Malaysia has ratified the TPNW.
Mozambique is in full support of the initiative and aspires for a nuclear free world.
Equatorial Guinea registered disappointment on the refusal of global powers to sign the treaty.
Gambia said it is in full support of the TPNW.
Sierra Leone said the timing is great. Sierra Leonne supported the humanitarian pledge from onset. It highlighted the negative impact of a nuclear weapon use and indicated its high level of commitment.
Zambia is still a signatory and is in the processes of ratifying. Zambia expects to ratify the treaty by end of this year.
Madagascar showed that the use and the risk of nuclear weapon usage is so high and is in solidarity with the drive towards the signing and ratification of the TPNW.
Lesotho values the positive effect of the treaty and exhorted other states to support the universalisation of the treaty. Lesotho has both signed and ratified the treaty.
Democratic Republic of Congo is fully cognizant and regrets that that the uranium used in Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombs was mined in DRC. It has since signed and ratified the treaty
Dr Noel Stott of VERTIC highlighted that universalization takes an understanding that all parties have universal information.
USEFUL MATERIALS
ICAN brochure with country profiles: “Universalizing the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Africa” (January 2023).
The ICRC video: “Algeria: Point Zero: the invisible Jerboa”
“Implications for Africa of the use of nuclear weapons”, by Lili Xia and Alan Robock, Department of Environmental Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA.
ICRC’s kit to signature and ratification of the TPNW: in English, in French.
Have a look at IFOR participation in the Vienna nuclear ban week in June 2022 here.