• Our USPP Store
  • Services
  • Advertise
  • About
    • Our Amazing Team
    • Contact
  • SUPPORT MILITARY AFRICA
    • Policies
      • Disclaimer
      • Cookies Policy
      • Terms and Conditions
      • Retraction and Correction policy and fee
      • Privacy Policy
      • Advertising Policies
Friday, September 29, 2023
Military Africa
  • Aerospace
  • Land
  • Naval
  • Industry
  • Security
  • UAS and C-UAS
  • Technology
  • Press Release
No Result
View All Result
  • Aerospace
  • Land
  • Naval
  • Industry
  • Security
  • UAS and C-UAS
  • Technology
  • Press Release
No Result
View All Result
Military Africa
No Result
View All Result
ADVERTISEMENT

South Africa signs UN treaty banning nuclear weapons

Sarah Lesedi by Sarah Lesedi
February 26, 2019 - Updated on November 3, 2020
in Security
Reading Time: 3 mins read
South Africa commits to UN treaty prohibiting nuclear weapons
ADVERTISEMENT

In a landmark event, South Africa alongside a number of countries submitted its Instrument of Ratification of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) to the United Nations (UN) in New York.

This development makes the country the 22nd state in the world to submit on nuclear arms ban. Lindiwe Sisulu the South African Minister of international Relations and Co-operation said in a statement:

“South Africa’s ratification of the TPNW sends a positive signal of our continued commitment towards the achievement of a world free from the threat posed by nuclear weapons and ensuring nuclear energy is used solely for peaceful purposes,”

Nuclear weapons states and the African Nuclear Weapon Free Zone
Nuclear weapons states and the African Nuclear Weapon Free Zone (Credit: Wikipaedia Commons)

Th TPNW was adopted by a vote of 122 States in favour at the UN on 07 July 2017. On 20 September 2017, the Secretary-General of the UN Treaty opened the treaty for signatures. South Africa signed the Treaty at a signing ceremony held on the margins of the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

You Might Also Like

France troops to exit Nigér in coming months

Brazil and Kenya collaborate in Jungle Warfare Training DR Congo

U.S. Military resumes counterterrorism missions in Nigér after coup

ADVERTISEMENT

The primary aim of the TPNW is establish an international norm, de-legitimising and stigmatising the possession of nuclear weapons. It aims to contribute towards achieving the objective set out in the very first resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1946 to eliminate all weapons of mass destruction.

“While we celebrate this historic achievement, we are fully aware that much work remains to be done to achieve our goal of a world free of nuclear weapons. Beyond the entry into force of this Treaty and working towards its universalisation, we will not relent in our efforts towards securing the full implementation of the commitments made by State Parties in fulfilment of their NPT obligations, particularly the nuclear disarmament obligations that have been neglected for too long.”

The TPNW will enter into force 90 days after 50 states ratify or accede to it. In response to this development, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) commends South Africa’s decision stating that by fully ratifying the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, the country is contributing to a global ban on nuclear weapons.

Sarah Mabeza, regional legal advisor at the ICRC disclosed that “We look forward to the South African authorities swiftly translating relevant parts of this ground-breaking international agreement into South African law,” and that such a move will enable provisions that prevent the manufacture, transfer, possession or stockpiling of nuclear weapons to be fully enforced.

South African Nuclear Bomb Casings
South African Nuclear Bomb Casings

Twenty five years ago South Africa acceded to Nuclear Non- Proliferation Treaty after dismantling its nuclear weapons. The country’s nuclear development dates back to World War II when the US Manhattan Project was looking worldwide for uranium to make nuclear weapons.

In November 1979, South Africa built its first nuclear explosive device, using about 56 kilograms of about 80 percent HEU (Highly Enriched Uranium). Six gun-type nuclear devices with an estimated explosive yield of about six kilotons. This yield was somewhat less than half of the yield of the gun-type bomb that destroyed Hiroshima in 1945 but contained a similar amount of about 80 percent HEU.

Recommended for you

Tags: South Africa

Related News

Denel

Denel’s turnaround strategy gains momentum: partnerships, asset sales, and production restart

September 21, 2023 - Updated on September 23, 2023
South African defence industry

South African arms exports surge in H1 of 2023

September 19, 2023 - Updated on September 23, 2023
paramount N-raven loitering drone

Loitering Munitions Market Soars: 525% Growth Predicted Amid Russo-Ukrainian Conflict

September 18, 2023 - Updated on September 19, 2023
Paramount Mwari

Report identifies $32.3 billion opportunities in Armed Overwatch/ISR Sector

September 18, 2023
The 2S25M Sprut-SDM1 is a modernized version of the 2S25 Sprut-SD self-propelled anti-tank gun designed and manufactured by the Russian defense Company Tractor Plants. The 2S25M was specially designed to be used by the Russian airborne troops as an anti-tank vehicle. The modernization of the 2S25 increases reliability and improves technical characteristics by unification with BMD-4M chassis components. According to a representative of Russian defense contractor Tractor Plants, the firepower of the 2S25M Sprut-SDM1 air-droppable self-propelled anti-tank gun is on par with that of the T-90MS main battle tank.
Load More... Subscribe

Facebook

ADVERTISEMENT
No Result
View All Result
  • Aerospace
  • Land
  • Naval
  • Industry
  • Security
  • UAS and C-UAS
  • Technology
  • Press Release

© 2023 Military Africa