Denuclearisation of Africa; it's Logicality then and now

After overlapping decades under the shackles of slavery and colonialism, Africa decided to dismantle and forbid the proliferation of nuclear weapons on the continent. What a way to go!

 

When did Africa Denuclearise?

 

Prior to the late 1950s, African nations (except Ethiopia) have been in under colonial servitude. The beginning of the colonial era dates back to the 18th century, but was formally regulated in the Berlin conference, 1884 under the Scramble And Partition of Africa in which different European countries shared African colonies amongst themselves. Colonialism allowed European countries to cart away people and raw materials away from Africa, while the Africans suffered excruciatingly in the hands of the Europeans. Slavery stopped in the 19th century, but colonialism did not end until around the 1960 when most African countries began to get their independence.

 

In 1964, after the formation of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in 1963, african leaders made a resolution to denuclearise Africa and promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy. This resolution was made formal under a Draft Convention for the Denuclearisation of the Continent of Africa.  United Nations General Assembly endorsed. The Untied Nations General Assembly also endorsed an additional resolution the following year—1965, called the Declaration on the Denuclearisation of Africa. Although, the process and treaty to make Africa a Nuclear Weapon Free Zone only came into force in 2009, due to South Africa's apartheid policy and cold war (1945-1991).qq

 

How Logical Was The Denuclearisation?

 

It appeared very illogical for a continent that had been marred with 'backwardness'—technological and economical— slavery, colonialism, neocolonialism and imperialism to denuclearise. It meant that it was doing away with the one thing that could have given it a leeway to reshaping its international image. But how does a fostering continent survive if it spends its early years on proliferation of weapons and conversely rips its aborigines of basic welfare and economic growth?  

 

The proliferation of nuclear weapons costs a nation the welfare of its citizens and Africa at the time of its independence was also struggling with a sickening economy after imperialism. Meanwhile, the strategic use of nuclear weapons lies in its non-use, that is, Africa would only proliferate weapons that would remain unused while its citizens languish in hardship.

 

The declaration of Africa as a nuclear free zone, has promoted the relative and interdependent peace of the continent. Despite the internal crises facing the African nations, they have been able to come together in harmony to overcome these crises. A nuclear Africa would have meant an Africa that creates an atmosphere of arms racing, mutual distrust, security dilemma and probably a reenactment of the cold war, even a full fledge warfare where nuclear weapons are used thereby causing the African continent in ruins.

 

Conclusively, as a growing continent, the denuclearization of Africa has made it to focus more on industrialisation and economic welfare rather than chaotic and self destructive arms proliferation. Remain harmonious, Africa! 

 

©Shomade Abdulazeez