Since July 15th 2009, the Treaty of Pelindaba has 28 States parties following the ratification by Burundi. Thus, Africa now is officially a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone. It is a spectacular contribution of the African continent to strengthen the international non-proliferation, so often undermined in recent years. It also means that the entire southern hemisphere is now free of nuclear weapons.

The entry into force of the treaty should allow African countries to cope with strategic challenges, security, economic and environmental aspects of nuclear proliferation. They now have to organize a Conference of States parties and establish the African Commission on Nuclear Energy to verify compliance with the treaty provisions, to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy and also to prevent the dumping of toxic waste on the African continent soil.

Source: www.grip.org