African parliaments lead the continent's fight against weapons of mass destruction
This week, from 6 to 7 April, the AU will host the Assistance and Review Conference on the implementation of UN Security Council resolution 1540. The conference adds to a long list of actions undertaken to facilitate the implementation of the resolution on the continent.
The 1540 Committee prepares matrices for each UN member state to track their implementation of the resolution. These matrices show that important progress is taking place in Africa.
As at December 2015, more than half of African states had measures in place to criminalize the use of any kind of weapon of mass destruction — be it a nuclear, a chemical, or a biological weapon. And around 50 percent of African states have measures in place to criminalize the manufacture, production and acquisition of such weapons.
These figures are much higher than those previously recorded, in December 2010. This points to a strong commitment on the African continent to implement resolution 1540.
The figures should not hide the remaining challenges, though. For instance, three-quarters of African states do not have measures in place to criminalize the development of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons. In addition, many states on the continent lack effective enforcement measures. Out of the seventeen states that have not sent an implementation report to the 1540 Committee, thirteen are from Africa. This calls for continued efforts from all stakeholders concerned.
In addition to the important role of the executive branch of governments, the legislative branch also has a key role to play in advancing the full implementation of resolution 1540 at the national level. National parliaments can be a driving force in non-proliferation efforts: in their law-making function, for instance, to adapt their legal framework as called for by resolution 1540; and to encourage, push for, and monitor efforts undertaken by the executive branch.
They are further able ensure that adequate resources are made available in the national budget; and they play a crucial role in liaison with civil society and the private sector, thus contributing to awareness-raising and sensitization. National parliaments are also able to encourage sub-regional efforts through bodies like the regional economic communities and their respective legislative assemblies; and at the continental level, particularly through the AU.
From 22 to 23 February this year, the National Assembly of Côte d’Ivoire and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) hosted a seminar for African parliaments on the implementation of resolution 1540 in Abidjan, with support from the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs.
The event represents an important step towards an increased role for Africa’s national parliaments in the fight against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Building on a working session on resolution 1540 that took place in October 2013 at the 129th Assembly of the IPU, the seminar successfully gathered seventy-two parliamentarians from 18 African countries, who shared experiences and discussed the way forward.
These in-depth exchanges are testimony to the strong commitment of African parliamentarians to undertake all possible actions to free Africa from the threat of weapons of mass destruction. The seminar also highlighted the need to develop tools that will assist parliamentarians in this endeavor. Developing a handbook on implementation of resolution 1540 for parliamentarians and a database of legislative measures taken on the African continent may be practical options to provide effective support to African parliamentarians.
The Pan-African Parliament could also be involved. While it is currently mandated with only consultative and advisory powers, there could be some benefits to sensitize its members, who can promote the implementation of resolution 1540 at the national level and contribute to broader awareness-raising efforts.
Nicolas Kasprzyk is a consultant, Transnational Threats and International Crime Division, ISS Pretoria
