African countries can contribute to the development of effective tools to ensure nuclear safety, – Olena Lapenko

African countries that have a powerful voice at the level of international organizations have the opportunity to contribute to the development of effective tools to ensure nuclear safety in Ukraine and prevent similar threats in other countries. This was stated by DiXi Group expert Olena Lapenko during the event of The African Peace Mission and Ukraine Peace Formula: Strategic Engagements on Regional Security, Nuclear Safety, and Human Rights, held in Accra, the capital of Ghana, on July 18, 2024.

Experts from Africa and Ukraine called on the African Union and representatives of African states to pave the way for safer nuclear energy development, better protection of children, and reduced opportunities for states with nuclear weapons to threaten disarmed nations. All of this can be realized, in particular, within the framework of the African Peace Mission and the Formula for Peace in Ukraine.

 “We see more and more countries declaring their intention to develop nuclear power, particularly on the African continent. These are affordable and efficient technologies that can contribute to economic growth and welfare. But the Ukrainian case should make countries take a critical look at the ability of current international standards to ensure nuclear safety and become a starting point for developing clear mechanisms to protect nuclear facilities,” said Olena Lapenko.

She noted that international agreements should clearly establish responsibility for violation of nuclear safety principles and provide an opportunity to effectively protect reactors during military conflicts so that they do not become a “nuclear shield” for the aggressor. The new mechanisms and principles should allow for the use of all tools, from protecting the sky over nuclear power units to tough sanctions against violators.

“The increasingly powerful voice of African countries can become a driving force in nuclear safety issues at the level of international organizations. The African Peace Mission can also make a significant contribution to nuclear safety by becoming a platform for initiating a human rights monitoring mission at Zaporizhzhia NPP, an agreement to close the skies over Ukraine’s nuclear facilities, and obtaining Russia’s consent to allow the IAEA mission to access all parts of Zaporizhzhia NPP. These are just some of the important initiatives that need to be implemented as soon as possible. Not only Ukraine, but the whole world is interested in this, because radiation knows no borders,” said Olena Lapenko.

In Accra, African and Ukrainian experts presented three joint policy briefs in support of the African Peace Mission and the Peace Formula in Ukraine. They concern UN reform, safety of nuclear power plants and and the protection of children during armed conflicts.

They call on the African Union and African states in particular:

• Lead changes in international law that will facilitate a binding agreement prohibiting armed attacks on nuclear facilities anywhere in the world.
• Make political efforts to obtain Russia’s consent in the UN Security Council to deploy a peacekeeping contingent around the ZNPP.
• Initiate agreement on permanent access of the IAEA mission to all buildings and territories of the ZNPP.
• Initiate an agreement to close the sky over nuclear facilities on the territory of Ukraine.
• Support the return of all personnel detained at Chornobyl and ZNPP who remain in Russia as military prisoners.

The occupation of Europe’s largest operating nuclear power plant by the Russian military violates all principles of nuclear safety. It must be stopped and never repeated.