One cannot properly understand the role of Africa in the world today from trade to the African Union without examining the various liberation movements that began in 1960 around the continent. This is especially true when discussing nuclear weapons. To understand the place of the Global South in the current debate about peace and conflict resolution, it is imperative that we study the past actions of African nations. While the attitudes of African leaders on nuclear disarmament and other foreign policy issues has never been monolithic, studying the history of Africa shows that since the dawn of the nuclear age, Africa and nuclear weapons have had a unique and important historical relationship. 

On July 7, 2017 over 100 nations agreed to adopt the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). Four years later it went into force. The Global South, including many African nations, comprised a large majority, in supporting this historic and legally binding treaty that banned nuclear weapons. Along with the Treaty of Pelindaba, African nations are leading the fight to eliminate nuclear weapons. However, like many social movements throughout history, the role of Africa in the struggle to achieve nuclear disarmament began long before. This conference seeks to examine the history of Africa and nuclear disarmament.