Cabo Verde
Cabo Verde is an example to be followed by other states, as it has adhered to all of the seven key treaties in the legal architecture on disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, in addition to being party to a nuclear-weapon-free zone (NWFZ) treaty.
TPNW Status
| Key weapons of mass destruction treaties | ||
|---|---|---|
| NUCLEAR WEAPONS | ||
| Party to the TPNW | Yes (Ratified 2022) | |
| Party to the NPT | Yes (Acceded 1979) | |
| Ratified the CTBT | Yes (Ratified 2006) | |
| Party to an NWFZ | Yes (Ratified 2020, Pelindaba) | |
| CSA with the IAEA | Yes (In force 2022) | |
| AP with the IAEA | Yes (In force 2022) | |
| BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL WEAPONS | ||
| Party to the BWC | Yes (Acceded 1977) | |
| Party to the CWC | Yes (Ratified 2003) | |
| TPNW Art. 1(1) prohibitions: Compliance in 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|
| (a) | Develop, produce, manufacture, acquire | Compliant |
| Possess or stockpile | Compliant | |
| Test | 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 | |
|---|---|
| UNGA resolution on TPNW (latest vote) | Voted yes (2024) |
| Participated in 2MSP (2023) | Yes |
| Participated in 1MSP (2022) | No |
| Average MSP delegation size (% women) | 2 (50%) |
| Adoption of TPNW (7 July 2017) | Voted yes |
| Participated in TPNW negotiations (2017) | Yes |
| Negotiation mandate (A/RES/71/258) | Voted yes |
| Fissile material | |
|---|---|
| Nuclear facilities | No |
| Fissile material production | No |
| HEU stocks | No |
| Plutonium stocks | No |
| SQP with the IAEA | Yes (Modified) |
Latest developments
In the First Committee of the UN General Assembly in October 2024, Cabo Verde expressed its deep regret at the expenditure of vast sums of money on nuclear weapons. ‘We ask how it is possible to continue wasting so much money on weapons that are prohibited, that destroy life, and we are fighting for their elimination for the benefit of humanity.’ It reiterated its call for all states to ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) 'for its universalisation’ and congratulated those states that had recently ratified it.1
Cabo Verde was one of the co-sponsors for the 2024 UN General Assembly resolution on the TPNW, which welcomed the Treaty’s entry into force and called upon ‘all States that have not yet done so to sign, ratify, accept, approve or accede to the Treaty at the earliest possible date’.2
Cabo Verde participated in the Second Meeting of States Parties (2MSP) to the TPNW in November-December 2023, noting that ‘current conflicts present a high risk of the use of nuclear weapons, which constitutes a serious threat to international peace and security’.3
Recommendations
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Cabo Verde should continue to encourage other states to adhere to the TPNW.
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Cabo Verde should ensure that all the TPNW obligations are implemented domestically, through legal, administrative, and other necessary measures.