- It is also known as African Nuclear Weapons Free Zone Treaty
- It was signed in 1996 and came into force in 2009
- Treaty has been ratified by 40 countries.
- The treaty aims to prevent nuclear proliferation in Africa and also stops unchecked supply of Uranium to the nuclear powers of the world.
- The Treaty prohibits the research, development, manufacture, stockpiling, acquisition, testing, possession, control or stationing of nuclear explosive devices in the territory of parties to the Treaty and the dumping of radioactive wastes in the African zone by Treaty parties
- The Treaty also prohibits any attack against nuclear installations in the zone by Treaty parties and requires them to maintain the highest standards of physical protection of nuclear material, facilities and equipment, which are to be used exclusively for peaceful purposes
- All African Union members are the signatories of the treaty
- It also requires all parties to apply full-scope International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards to all their peaceful nuclear activities
- Why in news?
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- Indian wants to import Uranium from African nations and thus wants relaxation in it.
- India Civil Nuclear Agreement with Namibia is in limbo because of this treaty.
- Namibia has not ratified the agreement due to this treaty