The Pelindaba Treaty
The African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone (The Pelindaba Treaty)
The African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty, known as the Treaty of Pelindaba, represents the culmination of Africa’s enduring commitment to global peace, security, and disarmament. It establishes Africa as a nuclear-weapon-free zone, reaffirming the continent’s collective determination to prevent the presence, testing, or use of nuclear weapons on its territory.
The vision of a denuclearized Africa was first articulated in the Declaration on the Denuclearization of Africa, adopted by the 1st Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), held in Cairo from 17 to 21 July 1964. This declaration laid the foundation for Africa’s long-term resolve to ensure that nuclear weapons would never be developed, stationed, or used on African soil. Over the next three decades, African States pursued extensive consultations and negotiations to transform this vision into a legally binding instrument. These efforts culminated in the adoption of the Treaty of Pelindaba by the 31st Ordinary Session of the OAU, held in Addis Ababa from 26 to 28 June 1995. The Treaty was opened for signature in Cairo, Egypt, on 11 April 1996, and entered into force on 15 July 2009, after receiving the required 28 instruments of ratification from African States, as stipulated in Article 18. The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) serves as the Depositary of the Treaty, responsible for its safekeeping and the registration of ratifications, accessions, and related instruments with the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
The Treaty prohibits the research, development, manufacture, stockpiling, acquisition, possession, or control of any nuclear explosive device by any State Party, by any means, anywhere. It also bans the stationing or testing of nuclear explosive devices, as well as the dumping of radioactive waste within the African Zone. Each State Party undertakes to declare, dismantle, destroy, or convert any existing nuclear explosive devices and related facilities under verification by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). In accordance with Article 9, all States Parties are required to conclude a Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement (CSA) with the IAEA to ensure that nuclear science and technology are used exclusively for peaceful purposes. The Treaty further mandates that exports of nuclear materials or related equipment may only be made to non-nuclear-weapon States that are subject to such safeguards agreements. It also prohibits attacks or threats against nuclear installations within the Zone and obliges States Parties to maintain the highest standards of physical protection of nuclear material, facilities, and equipment in line with IAEA recommendations and international best practices.
The Pelindaba Treaty reinforces Africa’s role within the global nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament regime, complementing the objectives of the 1968 Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). It promotes the peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology in support of sustainable development, regional security, and socio-economic progress. Furthermore, the Treaty encourages intra-African cooperation in the peaceful application of nuclear technology, particularly in health, agriculture, industry, and energy generation while upholding strict non-proliferation and safety standards.
The Treaty is supported by three Protocols that extend its obligations to nuclear-weapon States and to countries with territories located within the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone.
- Protocol I and Protocol II commit the five nuclear-weapon States recognized under the NPT China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States not to use or threaten to use nuclear explosive devices against any State Party to the Treaty or any territory within the Zone, and not to assist or encourage the testing of any nuclear explosive device within it. China, France, the Russian Federation, and the United Kingdom have signed and ratified these Protocols, while the United States has signed but not yet ratified them.
- Protocol III, open to France and Spain, applies to territories under their de jure or de facto jurisdiction within the Zone and obliges them not to contribute to any act that would violate the Treaty. France has signed and ratified Protocol III, while Spain has neither signed nor ratified it.