Sao Tome and Principe
Sao Tome and Principe is an example to be followed by other states, as it has now adhered to all of the seven key treaties in the legal architecture on disarmament and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. It has, however, not yet ratified the Pelindaba nuclear-weapon-free zone (NWFZ) treaty.
TPNW Status
| Key weapons of mass destruction treaties | ||
|---|---|---|
| NUCLEAR WEAPONS | ||
| Party to the TPNW | Yes (Ratified 2024) | |
| Party to the NPT | Yes (Acceded 1983) | |
| Ratified the CTBT | Yes (Ratified 2022) | |
| Party to an NWFZ | No (Signed 1996, Pelindaba) | |
| CSA with the IAEA | Yes (In force 2023) | |
| AP with the IAEA | Yes (In force 2023) | |
| BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL WEAPONS | ||
| Party to the BWC | Yes (Acceded 1979) | |
| Party to the CWC | Yes (Acceded 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) | No |
| Participated in 1MSP (2022) | No |
| Average MSP delegation size (% women) | N/A |
| Adoption of TPNW (7 July 2017) | Voted yes |
| Participated in TPNW negotiations (2017) | Yes |
| Negotiation mandate (A/RES/71/258) | Did not vote |
| Fissile material | |
|---|---|
| Nuclear facilities | No |
| Fissile material production | No |
| HEU stocks | No |
| Plutonium stocks | No |
| SQP with the IAEA | Yes (Modified) |
Latest developments
On 15 January 2024, Sao Tome and Príncipe became the 70th State to ratify or accede to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). The Minister of Justice of Sao Tome and Príncipe, IIza Amado Vaz, deposited her state’s instrument of ratification with the UN Secretary-General, following the unanimous approval of the Treaty by the National Assembly on 16 November 2023. She said that Sao Tome and Príncipe would do its best ‘to participate actively in the process of this Treaty’.1
In accordance with Article 2 of the TPNW, Sao Tome and Príncipe submitted a declaration to the UN Secretary-General on 27 March 2024 confirming that it does not own, possess or control nuclear weapons, has never done so, and does not host any other state’s nuclear weapons on its territory.2
Recommendations
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Sao Tome and Principe should continue to encourage other states to adhere to the TPNW.
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Sao Tome and Principe should ensure that all the TPNW obligations are implemented domestically, through legal, administrative, and other necessary measures.
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Sao Tome and Principe should ratify the Pelindaba nuclear-weapon-NWFZ treaty, which it signed in 1996.