Denuclearization from the ‘South’: A Case Study of Africa-Ethiopia

Abstract

Although the production and possession of weapons of mass destruction by nation-states goes back to WWI and WWII, the most damaging Weapons of Mass Destructions(WMDs)were produced following the outbreak of the Cold War. A heightened arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union characterized it. The quality and quantity of weapons of mass destruction produced during the Cold War forced people to imagine how catastrophic it would be if any other world war took place. This apprehension and anxiety lead people to protest against the production and possession of WMD. Although the production and possession of WMDs by then was a feature of the developed world, such as Europe and America, other continents and nation-states started to worry about such a case. It later opened a discussion on the non-proliferation of WMDs, disarmament, and denuclearization. The Organization of African Unity was one of the continental organizations established in the early 1960s. One of its early agendas was to open an African Weapons Free Zone treaty for signature by member states, which was open for signature in April 1996 and entered into force in 2009. As one of the OAU's leading members, Ethiopia was among the first signatories. Afterward, Ethiopia signed and ratified various international and regional conventions, protocols, and initiatives related to non-proliferation and denuclearization. Through a comprehensive review of available literature, primary documents, including international protocols, and key informant interviews, this article examines the efforts of Africa as a continent and Ethiopia as a state in their pursuit of a weapons-free world. The findings reveal that both play significant roles in promoting a nuclear-free world. Additionally, the experiences indicate that denuclearization and the establishment of a weapons-free world require multilateral initiatives.