The Host Country Agreement between the Commission of the African Union (AUC) and the Government of the Republic of South Africa regarding terms and conditions on the location of the Secretariat of the African Commission on Nuclear Energy (AFCONE), an implementation agency of the Treaty of Pelindaba on the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone (or simply Treaty of Pelindaba), in the Territory of the Republic of South Africa was signed November 4, according to Press Release NºXX/2015 of the AU’s Directorate of Information and Communication.
The Agreement was signed by the AUC Chairperson Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma on behalf of the AU and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation’s (DIRCO) Minister Ms. Maite Nkoana-Mashabane on behalf of the Government of the Republic of South Africa.
Following the signing, the AUC Chairperson and South Africa DIRCO’s Minister insightfully justified AFCONE as a Pan-African institution in the area of nuclear science and technology that would not only advance the global nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament goal under the NPT, but would also play a role to advance economic development in the continent.
“The African Commission on Nuclear Energy will play a key role in supporting sustainable development on the continent, notably in supporting key Agenda 2063 priority areas such as infrastructure, health, agriculture, industrialization and energy (amongst other priorities),” justified Dr. Dlamini.
During her remarks, she also appealed to all concerned and eligible States that are not Party to the Treaty and its Protocols to ratify or accede to theTreaty and relevant Protocols to support the realization of the functions of the zone. Equally important, she further expressed AU’s appreciation to the Republic of South Africa for being host of a number of other AU organs.
On her part, the South Africa DIRCO’s Minister expressed the satisfaction of her government’s commitment to host the Pan-African institution, and pointed out that the African Nuclear-Weapons-Free Zone is a significant contribution towards the ultimate goal of achieving a world in which nuclear weapons no longer exist.
The signing of the Agreement followed half-decade negotiations between the AUC Secretariat and South Africa’s DIRCO on the hosting of AFCONE Hedquarters in South Africa; and was guided by the universally recognized principles and rules of international law. To this end, the Headquarters may mean the Secretariat premises, allocated to the AFCONE by the Government of South Africa including buildings or parts of buildings and the land ancillary thereto in the Territory of South Africa.
The Secretariat of AFCONE will be located in South Africa’s administrative capital Pretoria, and will be headed by an Executive Secretary. AFCONE is financed by States Parties assessed contributions, as well as grants from international partners.
AFCONE is expected to play an important role in all nuclear related issues in the African continent. In 2012 AFCONE adopted its programme of work which consists of four pillars focusing on: 1) monitoring of compliance by the State Parties with their non‐proliferation obligations; (2) nuclear and radiation safety and security; (3) nuclear sciences and applications; and (4) partnership and technical cooperation with relevant regional andinternational bodies.
Aiming at implementation of the provisions of the Treaty of Pelindaba on the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone and the Statute of the Secretariat of the African Commission on Nuclear Energy, the signing of the Host Country Agreement between the Commission of the African Union (AUC) and the Government of the Republic of South Africa regarding terms and conditions on the location of the Secretariat of the African Commission on Nuclear Energy (AFCONE) is a milestone achievement to put the Secretariat to operation.
