The African Union Commission working towards the early operationalization of the African Commission On Nuclear Energy (AFCONE)
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, May 27, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Commission of the African Union (AU) will intensify its
efforts in the coming weeks towards the early operationalization of the AFCONE,
including by finalizing its Rules of Procedure, programme of work for 2011‐2013,
structure, as well as advertising the position of the AFCONE Executive Secretary.
It should be recalled that the First Ordinary Session of the AFCONE was held at the AU
Headquarters, in Addis Ababa, on 4 May 2011. This Session is a follow up to the First
Conference of States Parties to the African Nuclear‐Weapon‐Free Zone Treaty, also
known as the Treaty of Pelindaba, which took place in Addis Ababa, in November 2010.
This Conference elected the following twelve States Parties for a three‐year
membership to the AFCONE. These are: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ethiopia,
Kenya, Libya, Mali, Mauritius, Senegal, South Africa, Togo and Tunisia.
At the Session, the members of AFCONE exchanged views and discussed various issues
essential to its effective operation, including AFCONE rules of procedure, programme of
work, structure and scale of assessment for its budget. The Session agreed to continue,
with the support of the AU Commission, its deliberations in the coming weeks to finalize
the relevant documents and ensure the prompt commencement of the activities of
AFCONE.
In pursuance to the provisions of the Treaty, the meeting elected Mr. Abdul Samad
Minty of South Africa and Mr. Mourad Telmini of Tunisia as Chairperson and Vice‐
Chairperson of AFCONE, respectively.
The First Ordinary Session of AFCONE is a significant step in the efforts to fully
operationalize the Treaty of Pelindaba, and establishes AFCONE with the mandate to
assist States Parties comply with their non‐proliferation obligations, as well as promote
cooperation in the peaceful, safe and secure uses of nuclear science and technology.
The Treaty entered into force in 2009.
The twelve members of AFCONE are represented by high caliber professionals with vast
experience in the areas of nuclear science and technology, diplomacy and security.
SOURCE
African Union Commission (AUC)
