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Democratic Republic of the Congo
Nuclear-weapon-free state
Has joined the TPNW
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SIGNED
20 September 2017 |
RATIFIED
22 September 2022 |
IN FORCE
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Status
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has signed and ratified the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), and is legally bound by it from 21 September 2022.
Signature and ratification
Leonard She Okitundu, the then-minister of foreign affairs of the DRC, signed the TPNW at a high-level ceremony in New York when it opened for signature on 20 September 2017.
The minister of human rights of the DRC, Albert-Fabrice Puela, deposited the country’s instrument of ratification with the UN secretary-general at a high-level ceremony on 22 September 2022.
The council of ministers approved ratification of the TPNW on 6 May 2022 and the president, Felix Tshisekedi, signed an ordinance on 15 August 2022 authorising the same.
The DRC was the equal 67th state to ratify or accede to the TPNW.
Leonard She Okitundu, the then-minister of foreign affairs of the DRC, signs the TPNW in 2017. Photo: ICAN
Campaigners in the DRC meet with members of parliament in October 2021 to encourage swift action to ratify the TPNW. Photo: Parliament of DRC
Albert-Fabrice Puela, the minister of human rights of the DRC, deposits the instrument of ratification in 2022. Photo: UNOLA
Implementation
The DRC has promoted universal adherence to the TPNW, including by co-sponsoring and consistently voting in favour of an annual UN General Assembly resolution since 2018 that calls upon all states to sign, ratify, or accede to the treaty “at the earliest possible date”.
In a statement to the United Nations in October 2020, the DRC said that it “has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment in favour of international peace and security by signing [the TPNW]” and encouraged “all peace-loving countries” to become states parties.
In a statement to the United Nations in 2021, the DRC welcomed the entry into force of the TPNW.
Meetings of states parties
The DRC attended as an observer the first meeting of states parties to the TPNW, held in Vienna in June 2022. “Deterrence is a false guarantee of security that keeps the world in the balance of terror,” it said. “Nuclear disarmament is an emergency and is becoming a necessity for our security.”
TPNW negotiations
The DRC participated in the negotiation of the TPNW at the United Nations in New York in 2017 and was among 122 states that voted in favour of its adoption.
In 2016, the DRC co-sponsored the UN General Assembly resolution that established the formal mandate for states to commence negotiations on “a legally binding instrument to prohibit nuclear weapons, leading towards their total elimination”.
Before the negotiations
The DRC was among 127 states that endorsed a “humanitarian pledge” in 2015–16 to cooperate “in efforts to stigmatise, prohibit, and eliminate nuclear weapons”. The pledge was instrumental in building momentum and support for convening the TPNW negotiations.
Nuclear-weapon-free state
Has joined the TPNW
[HIGHLIGHTS]
|
|
|
|
SIGNED
20 September 2017 |
RATIFIED
22 September 2022 |
IN FORCE
|
Status
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has signed and ratified the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), and is legally bound by it from 21 September 2022.
Signature and ratification
Leonard She Okitundu, the then-minister of foreign affairs of the DRC, signed the TPNW at a high-level ceremony in New York when it opened for signature on 20 September 2017.
The minister of human rights of the DRC, Albert-Fabrice Puela, deposited the country’s instrument of ratification with the UN secretary-general at a high-level ceremony on 22 September 2022.
The council of ministers approved ratification of the TPNW on 6 May 2022 and the president, Felix Tshisekedi, signed an ordinance on 15 August 2022 authorising the same.
The DRC was the equal 67th state to ratify or accede to the TPNW.
Leonard She Okitundu, the then-minister of foreign affairs of the DRC, signs the TPNW in 2017. Photo: ICAN
Campaigners in the DRC meet with members of parliament in October 2021 to encourage swift action to ratify the TPNW. Photo: Parliament of DRC
Albert-Fabrice Puela, the minister of human rights of the DRC, deposits the instrument of ratification in 2022. Photo: UNOLA
Implementation
The DRC has promoted universal adherence to the TPNW, including by co-sponsoring and consistently voting in favour of an annual UN General Assembly resolution since 2018 that calls upon all states to sign, ratify, or accede to the treaty “at the earliest possible date”.
In a statement to the United Nations in October 2020, the DRC said that it “has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment in favour of international peace and security by signing [the TPNW]” and encouraged “all peace-loving countries” to become states parties.
In a statement to the United Nations in 2021, the DRC welcomed the entry into force of the TPNW.
Meetings of states parties
The DRC attended as an observer the first meeting of states parties to the TPNW, held in Vienna in June 2022. “Deterrence is a false guarantee of security that keeps the world in the balance of terror,” it said. “Nuclear disarmament is an emergency and is becoming a necessity for our security.”
TPNW negotiations
The DRC participated in the negotiation of the TPNW at the United Nations in New York in 2017 and was among 122 states that voted in favour of its adoption.
In 2016, the DRC co-sponsored the UN General Assembly resolution that established the formal mandate for states to commence negotiations on “a legally binding instrument to prohibit nuclear weapons, leading towards their total elimination”.
Before the negotiations
The DRC was among 127 states that endorsed a “humanitarian pledge” in 2015–16 to cooperate “in efforts to stigmatise, prohibit, and eliminate nuclear weapons”. The pledge was instrumental in building momentum and support for convening the TPNW negotiations.
[PARTNERS]
Congolese Campaign to Ban Landmines
Congolese Physicians for Peace
CRISPAL-Afrique
CPS-AVIP
Femmes des Medias Pour la Justice au Congo
Standing Green "SG"
FONDATION ALAIN LUBAMBA (FAL)
WOMEN CONCERN
Comité d'Appui au Développement Rural Endogène (CADRE)
Union pour la Promotion/Protection, la Défense des Droits Humains et de l'Environnement-UPDDHE
Youth For Peace Grands Lacs
Africa Reconciled
[LOCALSUPPORT]
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Congolese Campaign to Ban Landmines
-
Congolese Physicians for Peace
-
CRISPAL-Afrique
-
CPS-AVIP
-
Femmes des Medias Pour la Justice au Congo
-
Standing Green "SG"
-
FONDATION ALAIN LUBAMBA (FAL)
-
WOMEN CONCERN
-
Comité d'Appui au Développement Rural Endogène (CADRE)
-
Union pour la Promotion/Protection, la Défense des Droits Humains et de l'Environnement-UPDDHE
-
Youth For Peace Grands Lacs
-
Africa Reconciled