African Nations Discuss Joining Chemical Treaty

Diplomats from four African nations met last week to discuss joining the Chemical Weapons Convention, according to a release (see GSN, Oct. 17, 2006).

Working toward the goal of “universal adherence” to the treaty on the continent, the talks were co-sponsored by the government of Algeria, the European Union and the treaty’s oversight institution, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. 

OPCW head Rogelio Pfirter met privately with representatives from the four candidate nations, Angola, Congo, Egypt and Guinea-Bissau, to accelerate their applications.  Today, 48 African countries adhere to the treaty banning development, production, stockpiling and use of chemical weapons.

In addition to the aspiring signatories, the chemical weapons workshop brought together representatives from the League of Arab States, the 1540 Committee, the U.N. Disarmament Affairs Department, and officials from African states already party to the pact.

Experts described the advantages of peaceful chemistry in Africa, benefits of treaty participation, and enforcement mechanisms operating in member nations. 

Algerian Foreign Minister Mourad Medelci, host for the two-day discussions, marked the 10th anniversary of the Chemical Weapons Convention by reaffirming his nation’s commitment to banning chemical weapons on the continent (see GSN, April 27; Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons release, June 26).

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