African Civil Society And The Elimination of Weapons of Mass Destruction

The elimination of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) seems an unlikely field for African Civil Society Organisations (CSO) to rally around. However, the treaties and conventions relating to these weapons do not solely address disarmament and non-proliferation concerns, they also have an impact on the socio-economic development of African states. This is for example through the use of nuclear energy and technology for peaceful purposes.

Published on 31 July 2009 in ISS Today

Amelia Broodryk, Researcher: Africa’s Development and the Threat of Weapons of Mass Destruction Project, Arms Management Programme, ISS Pretoria

The elimination of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) seems an unlikely field for African Civil Society Organisations (CSO) to rally around. However, the treaties and conventions relating to these weapons do not solely address disarmament and non-proliferation concerns, they also have an impact on the socio-economic development of African states. This is for example through the use of nuclear energy and technology for peaceful purposes.

On 29 June 2009, the Institute for Security Studies’ Africa’s Development and the Threat of Weapons of Mass Destruction Project convened a workshop in Pretoria, South Africa, to discuss Africa’s role in curtailing the threat of weapons of mass destruction. One of the key aims of this workshop was to raise awareness amongst a select group of African civil society organisations (CSOs) on the importance of engaging their governments on the various international and continental treaties and conventions covering weapons of mass destruction (including nuclear, biological and chemical weapons). CSOs present at the Pretoria workshop included participants from South Africa, Egypt, Malawi, Zambia, Nigeria, Namibia and Kenya.

Participants of the Pretoria workshop agreed that it is important that African civil society becomes more actively and effectively engaged in the discussions at international disarmament and non-proliferation forums – especially regarding instruments such as the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (Treaty of Pelindaba).

In order for an African voice to be heard in the international debate on WMD-related issues, a united civic voice from within Africa is needed, one that is not perceived as being driven by the “North” and that can influence African States in meeting their commitments and obligations.

Civil society often has either the expertise or at least easy access to expert analysis on issues of national and global importance – developed through their own experiences on the ground (for example on the environmental and human rights impacts of nuclear material) or through their links to academia. CSOs also come from different disciplines – environmental, health, sustainable development, and human rights – and if networked, can more effectively influence and assist their respective governments both at the national level but also when attending United Nations discussions and negotiations. 

The African CSO Network that is being established as a result of the Pretoria WMD workshop aims to promote:

The NGOs that were present at the Pretoria workshop will form the core of the emerging network, and other stakeholders such as academics, developmental CSOs and human security institutes will also be targeted to become part of the network.

Important rallying points for the group include the question of toxic waste dumping on the African continent, awareness raising and education amongst the general public on the importance of these issues for Africa from both a security and developmental perspective, and universalisation and implementation of the Treaty of Pelindaba. Network members will develop strategies to engage with relevant National Authorities, parliamentarians, diplomats and civil servants in order to highlight relevant issues – including the socio-economic benefits to Africa of implementing international WMD instruments across the continent.

The creation of an African CSO network is long overdue, and African CSOs have an ideal opportunity to work collaboratively to promote issues that are most important for the African continent. This is especially timely, given that one of the largest events in the field of arms control and disarmament, namely the five-yearly Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference, will be held in May 2010. A united African position at this important meeting will be crucial in building the current momentum towards a nuclear weapon-free world.

We, Africans, need to prove US President Obama wrong when he recently stated that while America`s commitment “to seek the peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons” is clear, this goal will not be reached quickly and perhaps not in his lifetime.