Global Security Newswire

Rwanda has ratified the Chemical Weapons Convention, according to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (see GSN, Feb. 25).

Rwanda submitted its declaration to the United Nations March 31 and the treaty’s provisions will enter into force for the African nation April 30.  Rwanda joins 161 other nations in pledging not to produce, acquire, stockpile or use chemical weapons. Each member state also agrees to destroy any chemical weapons and chemical weapons facilities in its possession, or weapons that it abandoned.

The African Union has called for a continentwide ban on chemical weapons.  Forty-one African nations have ratified the treaty, including Libya (see GSN, Jan. 14; OPCW Release, April 2).