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Africa-Based Faith Organizations Welcome Treaty Banning World’s Nuclear Weapons

A poster circulated by the All African Council of Churches (AACC) after the coming into force of the Treaty on the Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW).

The All African Council of Churches (AACC) has joined other faith-based entities in welcoming the coming into force of the Treaty on the Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) that bans nuclear weapons.

In a statement shared with ACI Africa Wednesday, January 27, AACC leadership notes that possession of nuclear weapons is “immoral” and goes ahead to rally for support in pushing the world’s nuclear powers who have distanced themselves from the treaty to support the ban of weapons.

“The AACC, as part of the global ecumenical movement, believes that the very holding and potential threat of use of nuclear weapons is immoral, and looks forward to the day when the world will be freed of these weapons permanently,” the leadership of the AACC says in a statement dated January 26.

The officials of the Nairobi-based organization add, “The AACC invites you all… to push for all States to sign and ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.”

According to the leadership of the ecumenical fellowship, which has a presence in more than 40 African countries, there are no safe hands for these weapons.

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“The accidental or deliberate detonation of a nuclear weapon would cause severe, long-lasting and far-reaching harm on all aspects of our lives and our environment throughout the world,” the Church leaders say, and add, “Further, these technologies are part of structures and systems that bring about great suffering and destruction.”

TPNW, the first international treaty to comprehensively ban nuclear weapons entered into force 22 January 2021 with ratification of 51 states, none of them nuclear powers.

Adopted by the United nations in 2017, the treaty prohibits its signatories from producing, stockpiling, selling and using nuclear weapons.

Nations that signed the treaty reportedly cite “the catastrophic humanitarian consequences that would result from any use of nuclear weapons,” including by accident or miscalculation, saying those effects would transcend international borders.

In their statement, the AACC leaders laud the treaty, which they say addresses the impact of nuclear weapons on women and indigenous peoples, and the importance of victim assistance and healing environmental harms “in a groundbreaking way.”

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“This treaty ushers in the possibilities of heralding a new world free of the threats and tensions that have been characterized by the battle to develop and hold nuclear weapons. This has been the cause of major tensions and threats of widespread devastation,” the Church leaders say in a statement signed by their General Secretary, Rev. Fidon Mwombeki.

They add, “At a time when the world desperately needs fresh hope, the TPNW inspires us to continue to work to fully eliminate the threat of nuclear weapons, and to create conditions for peace, justice, and well-being.”

The AACC leaders recount the legacy of hibakusha, the survivors of the two nuclear attacks that were launched at Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end of World War 2 in 1945, saying, “Their courage and perseverance serve as the inspiration, guidance, and moral foundation in the quest for a world free from nuclear weapons.”

Apart from pushing the world nuclear powers to support the ban on weapons, AACC has called on people of goodwill to join the first meeting of the State parties planned in the treaty to take place this year.

“We must not be discouraged at the slow pace, but become even more determined to push for a better world. This is part of our mission work and we know God is on our side,” the AACC leadership says.

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In their call to push to include all States in the treaty, especially those with most weapons, AACC has made an appeal for individuals to sign a joint statement on behalf of their organizations in order to get as many signatures as possible to the initiative.

The statement calls on individuals to reach out to other faith groups for endorsement and to circulate it to reach as many people as possible.

Agnes Aineah is a Kenyan journalist with a background in digital and newspaper reporting. She holds a Master of Arts in Digital Journalism from the Aga Khan University, Graduate School of Media and Communications and a Bachelor's Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communications from Kenya's Moi University. Agnes currently serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.