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Sudan goes Nuclear: Energy Policy and International Treaties

Context

At the current moment, citizens in the Republic of Sudan suffer a great deal due to a lack of reliable energy resources. The lack of energy resources in various regions, have caused many citizens to burn fossil fuels in order to perform day-to-day tasks. Although the Sudanese government is against the burning of fossil fuels, due to its polluting factor (Nagi, 2008, pp. 1-2), they also face a burden in understanding that if they do not implement a reliable energy source, citizens of this region will go back to the burning of fossil fuels (Northern Sudan has only 25 years worth of oil left). This goes against their energy policy in being environmentally friendly. By understanding the dilemma the energy crisis presents, the president of Sudan decided on May 31, 2005,(Nagi, 2005, pp.1-2) that implementing the Merowe Dam would solve the energy crisis at hand. Nonetheless, this plan proved to be ineffective (Nagi, 2006, pp.1-2) because of a failure to provide a sufficient amount of energy from the dam. As a result, outraged citizens protested against the Merowe Dam, due to frequent power outages. Even though Sudanese officials strongly felt that the Merowe Dam would be a great asset in doubling the electrical output of Sudan (Nagi, 2008, pp.1-2), their plan demonstrated otherwise. With the rise of power outages reported, many citizens in other regions who were promised to receive energy from the dam were still neglected. As a result, Sudanese officials took note of their economic standing and understood that their state is in great debt with the World Bank (Nagi, 2008, pp.1-2). With the massive debt and no relief coming from the World Bank, Sudanese officials saw that they were unable to develop different energy alternatives; but by March 27, 2006, with the assistance of the IAEA Sudanese officials greatly considered implementing a nuclear energy program. The IAEA’S approval of Sudan’s energy plans was beneficial in four ways: 1) it increases the electrical output of the region so everyone is given a source of power to perform daily tasks; 2) researching on other alternative methods of energy other than nuclear; 3) researching isotopes for medicinal purposes can result in finding cures to Cancer; and 4) with the assistance of the IAEA and the advance technology given, scientists would be able to find underground water basins so  Sudan can  have their own independent source of water (Nagi, 2006, pp.1-2).

What is the significance of the Pelindaba and the Nuclear Non- Proliferation treaies when implementing a nuclear program in Sudan? Sudan’s participation in the Pelindaba treaty and the Nuclear Non- Proliferation treaty (NPT) gave Sudan the approval to start up a nuclear energy program as well as, the construction of new nuclear facilities. The Nuclear Non-Proliferation treaty puts emphasis by “encouraging member states” to partake in having the option to implement nuclear programs (Article 4 of the Nuclear Non- Proliferation Treaty) (United Nations, 1970, pp.5). Acknowledging the opportunity the NPT gave to member states, Sudanese officials saw this chance as a solution for the country to move towards nuclear energy, given that Sudan’s energy needs are far more important than global perception. This is due to the fact that Sudan has suffered as a country to progress in society by trying to create an energy policy that satisfies its citizens, and if nuclear energy is the way to make this possible, then by all means Sudan is going to go all the way. As a result, this brings about the conviction that Sudan needs a nuclear energy program despite the global communities’ objection towards their change in energy policy.

Both the Pelindaba and Nuclear Non Proliferation treaties are two very important documents that give Sudan the approval to implement their nuclear program. These two documents are important in the case of letting Sudan have nuclear facilities because these international treaties specifically “encourage member states to learn and educate themselves about nuclear energy” (United Nations, 1970, pp.5). However, what makes the Pelindaba treaty and the Nuclear Non Proliferation treaty different is, the Pelindaba treaty is an African continent based treaty that looks to one day create a nuclear free Africa. The Pelindaba treaty was created on July of 1964 in Cairo, Egypt. The significance the Pelindaba treaty has on Sudan wanting to implement nuclear infrastructure is that as participants of this treaty, their commitment is to not acquire, attain, develop nuclear weapons in their country, nor participate in developing any nuclear weapons with other countries (African Union, 1964, pp.2). This is an important commitment that each participant must abide by. Being that Sudan is serious about one day achieving a nuclear weapons- free- world, this clearly demonstrates their commitment in upholding their promise in not desiring to ever have nuclear weapons. In addition, as signatories of the Pelindaba treaty, Sudan looks to be a role model for other nations to walk the same road as they are in creating a world free of harmful weapons.

On the other hand, the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) unlike the Pelindaba treaty is a state wide treaty that isn't secluding nations due to location. While the Pelindaba treaty is solely based for the African continent, the NPT on the other hand is open to all nations who are committed to living in a nuclear weapons- free- world. The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty was drafted by the General Assembly in 1970 (United Nations, 1970). The role of this treaty pertaining to Sudan's need in implementing nuclear energy sites is it encourages and gives the option to member states to “research, develop, and use nuclear energy for non-weapons purposes”, (Article IV of the NPT ) which will prove their commitment in being a part of the treaty. To make sure that countries are doing their part towards upholding their word, United Nation safeguards, which in this case is the IAEA come to the country and oversee the developments and activities within nuclear sites (IAEA, 1956).

Basically, the job of a safeguard is to go into a country to see if the nation is doing what they are suppose to in regards to their commitment towards a treaty that specifically calls for nations to refrain from certain acts and or developments that may in turn harm mankind (IAEA, 1956). Overall, both the Nuclear Non- Proliferation Treaty and the Pelindaba Treaty, play a vital role in not only letting Sudan have the opportunity to implement nuclear infrastructures, but to also reassure the global community that their main reason behind these developments are purely for “energy and research purposes” (Griffith, 2008, pp.2).

What is the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)?

The IAEA is an independent organization that was founded on July 29, 1957, by Article III of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) (United Nations, 1970, pp.7). Although this organization was established independently from the United Nations, it states in the IAEA Statute that all safeguard officers are to report strictly to the General Assembly and the Security Council (Article XXII of the IAEA Statue). IAEA safeguards are to report to these two bodies in the UN so that the international community can be updated with the nuclear energy based countries progress with regards to their commitment through the NPT. If the IAEA overlook the nuclear energy sites, how will they perform their duties and oversee that nuclear weapons are not being developed?

The duties of an IAEA safeguard is to oversee and write reports about the activities of a countries’ nuclear energy site; and assure the global community that countries with nuclear energy sites are upholding their commitment through the NPT (IAEA,1956). If a country fails to uphold their commitment, IAEA safeguards are to report to the UN Security Council and the General Assembly so that sanctions may be put upon those states that fail to comply with their agreement in the NPT. The safeguards are to verify the absence of “possible undeclared material and activities; and oversee the management of nuclear waste in making sure the state isn’t using the material to develop nuclear weapons and or nuclear explosives devices” (IAEA, 1956). Finally, safeguards are to, verify the “compliance of similar non- proliferation undertaking parties to regional nuclear- weapon- free zone treaties and makes sure that countries who participate in these treaties are also upholding their commitment” (IAEA, 1956).

Why is the IAEA such an important factor in aiding Sudan in their energy transition? When it comes to the IAEA in Sudan, the Republic of Sudan has not only agreed and signed the IAEA Comprehensive Agreement and Protocol, but on May 5, 2010, during the 2010 NPT Review Conference, the Sudanese representative, Abdalmahmood Mohamed stated to the international community “calling for the strengthening of the IAEA’s role in hopes it would not perpetuate the Security Council’s negative practices, but be used instead in that service to all States. The creation of nuclear- weapon-free zones was an important non-proliferation step.”(United Nations, 2010) What Abdalmahmood Mohamed was saying is the Sudanese government strongly feels that the IAEA safeguards should be given more jurisdiction in overseeing nuclear sites in countries that possess nuclear infrastructure. Almahood states that the point of the IAEA safeguards are to assure the global community that nuclear energy sites are used for peaceful purposes as stated in the NPT, and if safeguards are unable to do their job, because of states strict sovereignty rules, then they serve as meaningless.

Moreover, the IAEA is such a valuable asset to the Sudanese government due to the transition the country needs to undergo for their new energy plan. Given that Sudan has been relying on the electrical power of hydroelectric dams and the burning of fossil fuels in regions that lack energy resources, nuclear energy (Earth Trends, 2003) will be a whole new process to endure. Not only does the implementing of nuclear infrastructure mean understanding nuclear energy, but it means needing citizens of Sudan who are interested in operating these infrastructures to be educated about nuclear energy and radiation. With the assistance of the IAEA not only have they constructed a plan over a ten year time to be ready for nuclear energy sites in 2020, but in a power point presentation by IAEA, they have demonstrated the nuclear and radiation majors will and have been implemented in Sudan’s universities and the career opportunities these students will have, once they graduate (Habbani, 2009, pp.5-8).

How will the Sudanese government look to educate citizens in the universities about nuclear energy and radiation?

Sudan’s Director General on Atomic Energy Commission spoke on behalf of Professor Ibrahim A. Omer, the Minister of Science and Technology in the 21st Century Conference on Nuclear Power held in Beijing, China (Eltayeb, 2009, pp.2). Throughout the conference, Director General Eltayeb’s explained to the Chinese government, the IAEA director, and other countries that have attended the conference, of the transitional stage Sudan is undergoing in preparing for the implementation of Nuclear Sites. This is important to acknowledge because this demonstrates to the international community that Sudan is serious about the energy transition they are about to face in 2020 (10 years from now). In the speech, Eltayeb states that “Sudan, with the help of the IAEA, has started a technical cooperation program aiming at understanding the necessary infrastructure needed for a nuclear power program. To implement their program two committees were formed to “address the technical requirement for the project and a high administrative committee to give the necessary political support” (Eltayeb, 2009, pp.2). When reading this quote from Eltayeb not only is he illustrating to the global community the steps Sudan as a nation has taken to make sure this transition goes about successfully, but their strong ties with the IAEA in making this project come through demonstrates a strong willed country that is looking to give their people a need that they have been lacking for decades.

Moreover, the speech also explains the legal framework of the IAEA the “Atomic Energy Act” which the Sudanese government is working on alongside. This Act specifically looks to “establish a separate independent regulatory authority which will deal with all regulatory aspects of radioactive sources and nuclear material”. This means that there will be an institution responsible for maintaining and taking care of nuclear waste in a way that will not harm the environment and or will not let nuclear or radioactive material land on the hands of enemies. This is important for the global community because a lot of their worries mainly come from the management of nuclear waste rather than the approval of being able to implement nuclear energy. At the current moment, the legal framework of the “Atomic Energy Act” is still being constructed and therefore, a concrete answer on how nuclear waste will be managed is still unknown to the international community until the Act is completed.

What is nuclear energy?

Of all alternative sources of energy there are in the world, the Republic of Sudan chose to implement nuclear infrastructure in their country so that their electrical output could rise by 50%. Although many citizens in the world are unaware of what nuclear energy is, PBS defines it to be “heat energy produced by the process of nuclear fission with in a nuclear reactor. The coolant removes heat from the reactor core that is normally used to boil water. The resultant steam then drives turbines that rotate electrical generators” (Murray, 1994). In simpler terms, nuclear energy is the ability to split the nucleus of a fissionable atom. In this case, the material used to make this process occur is the use of Uranium due to the fact that this element can be spliced which then gives out an enormous amount of energy that nuclear reactors can then work with. The heat generated by the energy released from the splicing of the nucleus creates a lot of heat, which is where water comes into the process. The water in nuclear reactors acts as a cooling factor that is diverted into steam which then causes turbines in reactors to rotate in order to give out electrical energy. In the process, not only is steam let out into the air, but also it means that there are no harmful chemicals that are destroying our environment, which makes nuclear energy such an environmentally friendly project. Why nuclear energy?

Bearing in mind that Sudan’s current energy policy is focused on staying environmentally friendly, they chose nuclear energy because it does not pollute the air nor does it need oil to function. With Sudan being a country that has oil in both its northern and southern region, Al- Bashir’s government looks to profit from the oil refineries so that the government will be able to have the funds to implement new energy projects and to pay off their debt. By profiting with the oil refineries, not only can Sudan progress as a nation by having money to provide for government based projects, but with nuclear reactors in the country, they will also excel in proving electrical energy to their citizens who have lacked this need for decades. Moreover, while nuclear reactors pollute water resources, (creation of nuclear waste (mixture of water and uranium) both the IAEA and the Sudanese government are at the moment coming up with a way to keep water resources clean by filtering water and also are in the process of developing the “Atomic Energy Act” that will state how nuclear waste will be maintained and where it will go (Eltayeb, 2009).

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