South Africa Welcomes African Nations Commitment To Nuclear-Weapons Treaty In Ethiopia

South Africa on Thursday welcomed the results of the Sixth Conference of States Parties (CSP) where the member nations reaffirmed their commitment to the African Nuclear-Weapons-Free Zone Treaty, also known as the Pelindaba Treaty.

The CSP meeting was held from October 24 to October 25, 2024, at the headquarters of the African Union (AU) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) said that the States Parties reaffirmed their commitment to the Pelindaba Treaty. It also expressed concern about recent events and actions that have negatively affected the operations of the Secretariat and the work of the African Commission on Nuclear Energy (AFCONE).

"They resolved to take the necessary measures to prevent such challenges in the future and strengthen cooperation among themselves and between the treaty structures," the department said, SA News reported.

The department stated that the parties also reaffirmed the decision made by the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) on July 30 to dismiss the former Executive Secretary Enobot Agboraw.

They decided that an urgent recruitment process should start to appoint a new Executive Secretary of AFCONE.

Furthermore, the States acknowledged the challenging task faced by the South African government as the host country in implementing the AUC Chair's decision regarding the dismissal of the former Executive Secretary.

However, they confirmed that there is no dispute between AFCONE and South Africa as the host country. They expressed gratitude to South Africa for its ongoing cooperation and support in hosting the AFCONE Headquarters.

The DIRCO believes that the outcomes of the 6th CSP and the dismissal by the High Court of South Africa on Sept. 18, regarding Agboraw's urgent application will help clear up false allegations made in recent media reports against its officials.

These officials have been fulfilling their official duties. Meanwhile, the department stated that South Africa is fully committed to the Pelindaba Treaty and its goals.

The paragraphs discuss the need to create a strong, fair and professional Secretariat for AFCONE that can effectively promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy in Africa.

South Africa is committed to collaborating with all countries that are part of the Pelindaba Treaty. Their goal is to protect AFCONE and its Secretariat from any damage to its reputation, operations or finances and to help restore its credibility for the benefit of the African continent.