Benin
Benin was the first state to ratify the TPNW after the Treaty reached the required 50 ratifications or accessions to enter into force, depositing its instrument of ratification with the UN Secretary-General on 11 December 2020. It was also the first francophone African state to ratify the Treaty.
| TPNW Article 1(1) prohibitions: Compliance in 2021 | ||
|---|---|---|
| (a) | Develop, produce, manufacture, acquire | Compliant |
| Test | Compliant | |
| Possess or stockpile | Compliant | |
| (b) | Transfer | Compliant |
| (c) | Receive transfer or control | Compliant |
| (d) | Use | Compliant |
| Threaten to use | Compliant | |
| (e) | Assist, encourage or induce | Compliant |
| (f) | Seek or receive assistance | Compliant |
| (g) | Allow stationing, installation, deployment | Compliant |
| TPNW voting and participation | |
|---|---|
| 2021 UNGA resolution on TPNW | Did not vote |
| 2020 UNGA resolution on TPNW | Voted yes |
| 2019 UNGA resolution on TPNW | Voted yes |
| 2018 UNGA resolution on TPNW | Voted yes |
| Participated in TPNW negotiations | Yes |
| Share of women in TPNW negotiations | 0% |
| Vote on adoption of treaty text | Voted yes |
| Adoption of TPNW (7 July 2017) | Voted yes |
| IAEA safeguards and fissile material | |
|---|---|
| Safeguards Agreement | Yes |
| TPNW Art 3(2) deadline | N/A |
| Small Quantities Protocol | Yes (Modified) |
| Additional Protocol | Yes |
| Fissile material production facilities | No |
| Highly enriched uranium stocks | No |
| Plutonium stocks (mil/civ) | No/No |
| Related treaties and regimes | |
|---|---|
| Party to the BWC | Yes |
| Party to the CWC | Yes |
| Party to the PTBT | Yes |
| Ratified the CTBT | Yes |
| Party to the NPT | Yes |
| Party to a NWFZ | Yes (Pelindaba) |
| Member of the CD | No |
Latest developments
In the First Committee of the 2021 UN General Assembly, Benin associated itself with a statement by the African Group which said: 'Given the slow progress and frustration that has characterized nuclear disarmament for so many years, the TPNW marks a watershed in the drive to rid the world of nuclear weapons. [...] It is our hope that the nuclear weapon states and those under the so-called nuclear umbrella would seize this opportunity to sign and ratify the treaty as well as pursuite the goal of a nuclear weapon free world'.1
Recommendations
- Benin should continue to encourage other states to adhere to the TPNW.
- Benin should ensure that all the TPNW obligations are implemented domestically, through legal, administrative, and other necessary measures.