Author: Fortune Abang

CTBTO seeks awareness on dangers of nuclear weapons test in Africa

Awareness
By Fortune Abang

Abuja, June 5, 2024 (NAN) The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO) has spoken of the need to raise awareness about the dangers of nuclear weapons tests, saying it will offer a proper understanding of the issue.

The Executive Secretary of the organisation, Dr Robert Floyd, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) during a recent regional workshop for African States Signatories held in Banjul, The Gambia.

CTBT is a multilateral agreement that came into effect in September 1996 and has since been signed on by 187 nations and ratified by 178 to prohibit nuclear weapons tests anywhere in the world.

Floyd said, “The countries of the world agree it will be best we live in a world without nuclear weapons, and to have an effective ban on nuclear testing is one step towards this goal.”

He praised African states for their commitment to abstinence from nuclear weapons tests, saying the organisation will work closely with other countries to facilitate their signature and ratification.

He added that CTBTO will provide more information to help the countries benefit from Treaty membership.

“It is clear there is a strong view that nuclear tests should not happen again, and I believe the reason is because of the history of nuclear testing that has taken place in the African continent,” said the Executive Secretary.

“This is due to the damage it has caused to the environment and human health, and the African states have determined to ensure that this never happens again.

“We are happy to work collectively with African nations to raise awareness about the dangers of nuclear testing and fully achieve these goals.

“In 1996, the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty opened for signature. Before that date, there were over 2,000 nuclear tests.

“Since then, nearly 28 years later, fewer than 12 nuclear tests have taken place, with only one state, North Korea, conducting any in this century.”

He also explained that the science behind this is the CTBTO’s verification regime, which monitors the planet 24 hours a day to ensure no test goes undetected.

“As a result, we now live in a safer and more secure world,” he said.

In the area of building capacity, Dr Floyd highlighted that countries such as Nigeria should have National Data Centres (NDC) to access data gathered by stations and laboratories worldwide.

“All data coming to Vienna is shared freely with all Member States, including Nigeria. We will work with Nigeria to train the technical staff on receiving, analyzing, and interpreting this data.

“This data also has numerous civil and scientific applications, such as detecting earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions, and it can also be used for climate change research.

“So, this is where the capacity building comes into play. People across each of our member states have the opportunity to be trained in these skills.

“It is remarkable that 50 out of the 54 African countries have ratified the treaty, and 52 of the 54 countries have signed it.

“I see Africa coming together as one, supporting one another and working together with the international community for a world without nuclear weapons tests and nuclear weapons as a shared future,” he said. (NAN) (www.nan.ng)

FEA/YEE

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(Edited by Emmanuel Yashim)

Ban

By Fortune Abang

Banjul, June 1, 2024 (NAN)The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO) has urged African countries to adhere to the agreement on the nuclear weapon testing ban to ensure safety and security in the continent.

The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) is a multilateral agreement which opened for signature in September 1996 and has since been signed by 187 nations and ratified by 178 to prohibit any nuclear weapon test anywhere in the world by anyone.

The Executive Secretary of CTBTO, Dr Robert Floyd, spoke at the opening of the two-day regional workshop organised by CTBTO for African States Signatories in Banjul, The Gambia.

The workshop held from May 31 to June 1.

He said although 52 States in Africa signed the Treaty and enjoy CTBTO membership, 50 ratified it.

Floyd, therefore, implored countries yet to ratify the CTBT to do so in order to achieve desired goals.

“Two of them, Somalia and South Sudan are very close.’’

He said that prior to 1996, there were more than 2,000 confirmed nuclear tests; some were conducted in Africa but none was conducted by an African country.

“Radioactive traces shown from all nuclear tests, particularly atmospheric tests, carried out some decades ago impacted the world negatively and are still traced in African elephants’ tusks.

“Right now, Africa’s 35 International Monitoring System (IMS) stations are listening to the earth’s crust rumbling and groaning, as well as streaming their data to Vienna.

“The signing of the CTBT just under 28 years ago has yielded landmark achievement: Africa played vital role to build consensus and get the Treaty adopted by the UN General Assembly in New York.

“Therefore, the complete adherence by African countries to the CTBT will ensure the full realisation of a nuclear- weapon-free zone in Africa,” he said.

Mr Dawda Jallow,  Attorney-General and Minister for Justice of The Gambia, commended CTBTO for the organisation of the workshop at a time of global tension and conflicts.

According to him, the meeting brings together CTBTO stakeholders from Africa to discuss and advance the nuclear testing ban policy objective within the region.

“The challenges we face today require collective efforts through dialogue and diplomacy with relevant support to the CTBT.

“The CTBT’s primarily aim is not just to prevent nuclear testing, but to benefit civil and scientific applications as well.

“The verification regime established by the CTBT offers valuable data and tools that can be utilised for purposes, such as climate change research, disaster prevention, including Tsunami warning.

“These capabilities provide additional benefits to countries like The Gambia and also have the potential of generating positive outcomes across various sectors of economy,” he said.

Dr Oumar Touray, President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), described the workshop as apt, coming at a time Africans needed to partner to tackle the security situation.

Touray, represented by Mr Claude Kondor, Political Advisor to the Resident Representative of the ECOWAS Commission in The Gambia, said the workshop had become important to unite African countries towards achieving a shared future.

“This is to advance the CTBT and reinforce our collective resolve; to prevent nuclear proliferation and promote global security.

“Today, we are gathered to contribute to a cause that not only affects our continents, but the entire world.

“This workshop is a testament to our shared dedication towards achieving sustainable peace and cooperation in Africa and beyond,”  he said.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

FEA/CJ/

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Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo