On 15 July 2009, the Treaty of Pelindaba on the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone entered into force for 28 of the 53 African Union Member States and three of the five Nuclear Weapon States under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. Five years later, a look back at actions and effort of stakeholders in realizing the goals of the zone in the context of the increasing momentum and political willingness shown by NPT States Parties and organizations since the Treaty entered into force in July 2009 reveals a mixed bag of progress, challenges, and opportunities. To address these issues, a document review–based study of progress of, challenges and opportunities to stakeholders were conducted. Progress in additional ratifications and establishments of the African Commission of Nuclear Energy was examined. Challenges associated with negative security protocols and sticky diplomatic disputes were analyzed. Opportunities for operationalizing the Secretariat of the African Commission on Nuclear Energy, consulting with stakeholders, and leveraging resources through partnerships are presented. This study underscores the commitment of African states to distance their territory and their populations completely from the nuclear arms race and its implications for development and international relations. The act of establishing anuclear-weapon-free zone is a sovereign right protected by Article 1 of the Charter of the United Nations and Article VII of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
