South Africa
South Africa produced nuclear weapons in the late 1970s but decided in 1989 to give them up and has since advocated for nuclear disarmament. It was at the forefront of the diplomatic process towards a treaty prohibiting nuclear weapons, including during the negotiation of the TPNW in 2017. South Africa has signed and ratified the TPNW and is in compliance with all of the prohibitions in Article 1 of the Treaty.
Latest developments and background
On 16–17 August 2018, South Africa and ICAN co-hosted a regional workshop in Pretoria, to promote adherence to the TPNW (bit.ly/2kHK228). Speaking in the UN on 26 September 2019, South Africa said it was pleased to be among the first 25 member states of the TPNW. It urged all states that have not signed the TPNW to do so as soon as possible, and added: “South Africa reaffirms our view that the TPNW is a bold and positive step towards the total elimination of nuclear weapons as it strengthens the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty." (bit.ly/2obi545
Recommendations
- South Africa should continue to encourage other states to adhere to the TPNW.
- South Africa should ensure that all the TPNW obligations are implemented into national law.
| Signed |
|---|
| Yes (20 Sep 2017) |
| Adhered |
|---|
| Ratified (25 Feb 2019) |
| Compliance with article 1(1) of the TPNW | ||
|---|---|---|
| Art 1(1)(a) | The prohibition on developing, producing, manufacturing, or otherwise acquiring | Compliant |
| The prohibition on testing | Compliant | |
| The prohibition on possessing or stockpiling | Compliant | |
| Art 1(1)(b) | The prohibition on transferring | Compliant |
| Art 1(1)(c) | The prohibition on receiving transfer or control | Compliant |
| Art 1(1)(d) | The prohibition on using | Compliant |
| The prohibition on threatening to use | Compliant | |
| Art 1(1)(e) | The prohibition on assisting prohibited activities | Compliant |
| The prohibition on encouraging or inducing prohibited activities | Compliant | |
| Art 1(1)(f) | The prohibition on encouraging or inducing prohibited activities | Compliant |
| Art 1(1)(g) | The prohibition on allowing stationing, installation, or deployment | Compliant |
| TPNW process | |
|---|---|
| Vote on mandate resolution (A/RES/71/258) | Voted yes |
| Participated in treaty negotiations (% women) | Yes (30%) |
| Vote on adoption of treaty text | Voted yes |
| Vote on UNGA resolution 2018 | Voted yes |
| Fissile material | |
|---|---|
| Highly enriched uranium stocks | <1 t (~35 weapon equivalents) |
| Civilian plutonium stocks | |
| Fissile material production | No |
| Related treaties and mechanisms | |
|---|---|
| Party to the NPT | Yes |
| Party to a NWFZ | Yes (Pelindaba) |
| Ratified the CTBT | Yes (Annex 2 state) |
| Party to the PTBT | Yes |
| Member of the CD | Yes |
| IAEA CSA in force | Yes |
| IAEA AP in force | Yes |
| Party to the CWC | Yes |
| Party to the BWC | Yes |