Congo
The Republic of the Congo participated in the Second Meeting of States Parties to the TPNW in November and December 2023. ‘We find ourselves in a context marked by conflict and tension, which further heightens our legitimate fears about the potential use of nuclear weapons,’ it said, adding that nuclear-armed States are ignoring ‘the devastating consequences of nuclear weapons for all humanity’.[1]
TPNW Status
| TPNW Article 1(1) prohibitions: Compliance in 2023 | ||
|---|---|---|
| (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 | |
|---|---|
| UNGA resolution on TPNW (latest vote) | Voted yes (2023) |
| Participated in 2MSP (2023) | Yes |
| 1MSP delegation size (% women) | 1 (0%) |
| Adoption of TPNW (7 July 2017) | Voted yes |
| Participated in TPNW negotiations (2017) | Yes |
| Negotiation mandate (A/RES/71/258) | Voted yes |
| Other weapons of mass destruction (WMD) treaties | |
|---|---|
| Party to an NWFZ | Yes (Ratified 2013, Pelindaba) |
| Party to the NPT | Yes (Ratified 1978) |
| Ratified the CTBT | Yes (Ratified 2014) |
| Party to the BWC | Yes (Acceded 1978) |
| Party to the CWC | Yes (Ratified 2007) |
| IAEA safeguards and fissile material | |
|---|---|
| Safeguards agreement | Yes (28 Oct 2011) |
| TPNW Art 3(2) deadline | N/A |
| Small Quantities Protocol | Yes (Modified) |
| Additional Protocol | Yes |
| Enrichment facilities/reprocessing plants | No |
| HEU stocks | No |
| Plutonium stocks | No |
Latest developments
At the 2MSP, Congo condemned the continued production of nuclear weapons and said that all efforts in the field of disarmament should revolve around ‘prohibition and elimination’. It also called on States to sign and ratify all instruments related to nuclear weapons.2
In January 2023, Congo participated in an African regional seminar on universalisation of the TPNW in Pretoria, hosted by the South African foreign ministry.3
Recommendations
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Congo should continue to encourage other states to adhere to the TPNW.