**South Africa Crucial in Advocating for Nuclear Safety**
Ukraine is seeking international support on nuclear safety. South Africa, with its history and geopolitical significance, is a vital partner in this effort.
In March, the Truth Hounds team visited South Africa to discuss two reports: one about the destruction of the Kakhovka dam and another about torture at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP).
**Why South Africa Matters**
South Africa was chosen as the destination because it is the largest economy in Africa and a leading representative of the Global Majority. It is also a founding member of BRICS, making it a key mediator in peace talks between Ukraine and Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will visit South Africa in April. It’s essential for Ukrainian interests to ensure that officials are informed about the situation on the ground by independent actors.
**South Africa’s History with Nuclear Weapons**
South Africa voluntarily relinquished its nuclear arsenal, like Ukraine, Belarus, and Kazakhstan. Before doing so, it saw nuclear weapons as a deterrent that could guarantee territorial integrity and sovereignty.
After apartheid ended and the country democratized, the perceived threats no longer justified nuclear weapons. South Africa became the first country to willingly give them up.
**Shared Views on Nuclear Safety**
Ukraine signed the Budapest Memorandum in 1994, agreeing to remain a nuclear weapons-free state. Ukraine relied on international law and the global community as guarantors of its sovereignty.
However, Russia’s occupation of Crimea and parts of Donetsk and Luhansk showed that Ukraine’s assumptions were flawed. South Africa is concerned about the challenges posed by international law-based deterrence strategies.
**South Africa’s Stance on Nuclear Safety**
South Africa operates a nuclear power plant, the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station. It is particularly concerned about the safety of nuclear facilities in peacetime and during conflict.
In 2009, South Africa adopted a pan-African treaty declaring Africa a nuclear-weapon-free zone. The treaty prohibits armed attacks on nuclear installations – an absolute ban that exceeds international humanitarian law.
**South Africa’s Voice for Nuclear Safety**
South Africa has long championed stronger protections for nuclear facilities during armed conflict. It could serve as a voice for African nations, potentially through the African Commission on Nuclear Energy (AFCON), in raising concerns about nuclear safety in Ukraine and advocating for peace agreements that account for global interests.
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