African Nations Discuss CWC Requirements

Representatives of 15 West and Central African countries met this week in Burkina Faso to discuss the challenges experienced following ratification of the Chemical Weapons Convention, according to the Angola Press Agency (see GSN, May 26).

“The aim of this meeting is to provide practical assistance on various legal issues related to the implementation of that convention,” said Elias Olufemi of Nigeria, representing the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

The Chemical Weapons Convention requires all member nations to create national authorities and develop regulations to ensure internal adherence to the treaty.

“The national authorities have noted stiff difficulties in the implementation of the convention despite very strong political commitment,” said Abdourame Barry, national authority coordinator for Burkina Faso. “It was necessary to exert every effort to move forward in the implementation of the convention in our region.”

The treaty now has 178 member states, including the large majority of African nations. Nonmembers in Africa include Angola, Egypt and Somalia. Congo and the Central African Republic have signed but not ratified the pact, according to the OPCW Web site.

“The implementation of these measures is a contribution to peace and stability on the African continent and in the world,” Barry said (Angola Press Agency, July 26).

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