In Africa, there are a few things that do not follow the norm. One example of a Western standard is the ownership of weapons capable of causing widespread destruction. First things first, let’s talk about what we mean when we say “weapons of mass destruction.” These are weapons that have the capability of causing harm to a significant number of people or to significant infrastructure.
There is the potential for the use of chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear weapons. These kinds of weaponry are commonplace in the developed nations of the first world, such as the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Russia, and France.
Leaders who are contemplating the implementation of a nuclear programme must strike a balance between the political climate in their country and the competing interests of various interest groups, such as the scientific community and the defence industry. Aspirations for higher office among political leaders could also be a factor.
To begin, nuclear weapons And the possibility of attaining the status of a pariah on the international stage is a cause for concern for governments that are contemplating the implementation of a nuclear programme, particularly given the growing number of nations that have pledged to abstain from the use of nuclear weapons.
They are also present in other nations, including China and North Korea, for example. As a consequence of this, the news that an African nation possesses such weapons will come as a complete surprise. One African nation, on the other hand, defied expectations and amassed a stockpile of weapons of mass destruction, most notably nuclear weapons. The nation’s official name is the Republic of South Africa.
In February of 2019, South Africa became the first country to possess nuclear weapons, then disarm those weapons, and then sign the Pact on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. This achievement was made possible because South Africa ratified the treaty.
These weapons were created during the apartheid period in South Africa. In addition, it appeared as though the government had lost interest in continuing to finance the programme. As a consequence of this, the country got rid of all of its nuclear weapons before handing over control to a government that was dominated by Africans in the early 1990s.
As a direct consequence of the transition, South Africa assumed a leadership role in the peacekeeping operations. It was the first and only country to completely get rid of all of its nuclear weapons. Unless unless specified, the nation does not possess weapons of this kind any longer.
Since 1975, the nation has been a signatory to the Biological Weapons Convention. Additionally, since 1991, the nation has been a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Since 1995, the nation has been a signatory to the Chemical Weapons Convention. In February of 2019, South Africa became the first country to possess nuclear weapons, then disarm those weapons, and then sign the Pact on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. This achievement was made possible because South Africa ratified the treaty.