Botswana vows to prevent biological weapons use
Pini Bothoko | Tuesday March 19, 2024 06:00
Botswana ratified the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) in 1992 and has domesticated the treaty by passing the Biological and Toxin Weapons (Prohibition) Act, 2018.
Defence and Security minister, Kagiso Mmusi made the remarks on the subject when officially opening the Sub-Regional workshop on the universalisation and effective implementation of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention in Southern Africa that was held at Protea Hotel recently.
The workshop had attracted nine SADC countries, international organisations, non-governmental organisations, the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) team and their partners. Mmusi also revealed that the country has been consistent in the national implementation of the convention and has achieved remarkable milestones in ensuring that the treaty is effectively implemented. “BWC represents a cornerstone of the global disarmament and non-proliferation regime, reaffirming the country’s commitment to peaceful use of biological sciences and technologies,” he said, adding that since it entered into force back in 1975 it has been committed to the prohibition and elimination of the entire categories of weapons of mass destruction.
The minister added that Botswana is committed to global peace and security hence an understanding that security is as strong as the weakest link. He stated that by being part of the global security regime, the country is obliged and committed to international security standards and has thus far shown the commitment by ratifying and domesticating/ implementing treaties on peace and security. “Africa, like other regions around the world, faces unique challenges from capacity constraints to resource limitations in implementation and enforcing the provisions of the BWC.
“This calls for working together to address these obstacles. This workshop provides us with a valuable platform as the SADC region to enhance universalisation and effective implementation of the biological weapons convention in our region,” he added. Furthermore, Mmusi said the workshop provided a broad understanding of the BWC and related implementation requirements, including on national implementing legislation, Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs) as well as roles and responsibilities of National Contact Points (NCPs).
“Through open and constructive dialogue, we can identify common priorities, foster collaborations, and build the necessary expertise to safeguard our nations against misuse of biological agents. I urge all participants to actively engage in discussions, exchange ideas and contribute to the development of practical solutions that will enhance the implementation of the Biological weapons convention in Africa,” Mmusi said. Giving opening remarks, the project coordinator and legal officer for UN office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), Dr Sylvain Fanielle said Botswana’s strong leadership on the universalisation and implementation of the BWC, both at a regional and global level, has increasingly contributed to the impact of the convention, thereby also reinforcing the regional security architecture and States’ preparedness to face events of a biological nature.
“I would like also to take this opportunity to convey my gratitude to the members of the global partnership against the spread of weapons and materials of mass destruction, in particular Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom, for their financial support and therefore making this event possible as well as their continuous support in promoting the universalisation and effective implementation of the BWC,” Fanielle said. Fanielle further stated that the world is currently facing numerous challenges as COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated collective vulnerability in the face of diseases that rapidly cross borders and cause incalculable human, social and economic damage. He said while bringing biosafety and biosecurity to the forefront, the pandemic also painfully foreshadowed what could happen if a disease is deliberately engineered and released.
“Rising tensions are putting multilateral non-proliferation and disarmament architecture under pressure and yet, while we are seeing consistent and on-going challenges to certain international norms and standards, the norm against the deliberate use of disease as a weapon against humans, plants or animals, remains strong,” he said. Sharing the same sentiments, Fanielle stated that since its entry into force in 1975, the convention continues to show its relevance and strength as the legally binding instruments effectively prohibiting biological weapons.
He added that the convention is also going beyond non-proliferation, disarmament and security by promoting science and technology and facilitating capacity-building, assistance and cooperation among states parties. “This overall contributes to states strengthening their capacities for early warning, risk reduction and management of health risks, therefore supporting steady progress towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Universalisation and effective implementation of the BWC, including in Africa, is essential to strengthening the convention,” he said. Fanielle stated that UNODA is currently implementing a project to specifically designed to support states from Africa to strengthen their national implementation of the convention. “I would like in this regard to reiterate that UNODA is fully committed to provide you, in the coming months and years, with any assistance you may need to implement the convention. I am convinced that this event is the inception of a strong and sustainable dynamic to strengthen BWC implementation in Southern Africa and beyond,” Fanielle said.