Eritrea
Eritrea has indicated that it intends to adhere to the TPNW. It voted in favour of the adoption of the TPNW at the UN Diplomatic Conference in 2017. In 2021, it was one of the co-sponsors of the annual UN General Assembly resolution on the Treaty, which 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'.[1]
| TPNW Article 1(1) prohibitions: Compatibility in 2021 | ||
|---|---|---|
| (a) | Develop, produce, manufacture, acquire | Compatible |
| Test | Compatible | |
| Possess or stockpile | Compatible | |
| (b) | Transfer | Compatible |
| (c) | Receive transfer or control | Compatible |
| (d) | Use | Compatible |
| Threaten to use | Compatible | |
| (e) | Assist, encourage or induce | Compatible |
| (f) | Seek or receive assistance | Compatible |
| (g) | Allow stationing, installation, deployment | Compatible |
| TPNW voting and participation | |
|---|---|
| 2021 UNGA resolution on TPNW | |
| 2020 UNGA resolution on TPNW | |
| 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 | 33% |
| 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 | No |
| Party to the CWC | Yes |
| Party to the PTBT | No |
| Ratified the CTBT | Yes |
| Party to the NPT | Yes |
| Party to a NWFZ | No (Signed, Pelindaba) |
| Member of the CD | No |
Latest developments
Eritrea maintains policies and practices that are compatible with all of the prohibitions in Article 1 of the TPNW, and can therefore sign and ratify or accede to the Treaty without the need for a change in conduct. It also brought into force a Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement and an Additional Protocol with the IAEA on 20 April 2021.
In the First Committee of the 2021 UN General Assembly, Eritrea said: 'The use or threat of use of nuclear weapons is illegal and immoral. Legally binding negative assurances, the establishment of nuclear-free zones, the universalisation of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), and the recently adopted Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons are critical steps to complete denuclearisation.'2
Recommendations
- Eritrea should urgently adhere to the TPNW.
- Eritrea should also adhere to the BWC.