Rwanda Joins Chemical Weapons Convention

Rwanda has ratified the Chemical Weapons Convention, according to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (see GSN, Feb. 25).

Rwanda submitted its declaration to the United Nations March 31 and the treaty’s provisions will enter into force for the African nation April 30.  Rwanda joins 161 other nations in pledging not to produce, acquire, stockpile or use chemical weapons. Each member state also agrees to destroy any chemical weapons and chemical weapons facilities in its possession, or weapons that it abandoned.

The African Union has called for a continentwide ban on chemical weapons.  Forty-one African nations have ratified the treaty, including Libya (see GSN, Jan. 14; OPCW Release, April 2).

Back to top
About Newswire  |  Contact National Journal  |  Re-Use Guidelines © Copyright 2008 by National Journal Group, Inc. The material in this section is produced independently for NTI by National Journal Group, Inc. Any reproduction or retransmission, in whole or in part, is a violation of federal law and is strictly prohibited without the consent of the National Journal Group, Inc. All rights reserved.