African perspectives on countering weapons of mass destruction

This paper assesses African attitudes towards Resolution 1540 as well as the challenges to, and progress made in, its implementation

On 28 April 2004, the United Nations’ Security Council adopted Resolution 1540 at its 4956th meeting. It was the first formal decision by the Security Council, affirming that the proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, as well as their means of delivery, constitutes a threat to international peace and security. The resolution, with extended mandates through Resolution 1673 (until April 2006) and Resolution 1810 (until April 2011), imposes binding obligations on all states to refrain from providing any form of support to non-state actors that attempt to develop, acquire, manufacture, possess, transport, transfer or use nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and their means of delivery. The resolution thus aims at denying non-state actors access to the means (nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons) by which a terrorist act could be conducted. All states are thus required to adopt and enforce domestic controls to prevent the proliferation of such weapons. This paper assesses African attitudes towards Resolution 1540 as well as the challenges to, and progress made in, its implementation.

About the author

Dominique Dye is a junior researcher with the Arms Management Programme (AMP) at the ISS in Pretoria. She has a degree in politics and international relations and takes a particular interest in the implementation of United Nations arms control conventions and agreements at the regional and national levels.