n African Security Review - Nuclear Africa : weapons, power and proliferation : essay

Abstract

This paper examines the rather limited African experience of nuclear weapons, and the implications of global nuclear weapon possession and proliferation - and responses against it - for Africa. Because there is a contingent, but not necessary, relationship between civil nuclear power and nuclear weapons, it also touches on civil nuclear issues in Africa, and the implications of uranium production. Since the only country in Africa that has actually developed both nuclear energy and nuclear weapons is South Africa, much of the focus is on that country. As a result of its prowess in this field, South Africa also inevitably leads African diplomacy on nuclear governance issues. Before turning to African implications, however, it is necessary to contextualise these issues in the global framework.