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oosting transparency and confidence. It would not be wrong to say that the
draft Code of Conduct is tailored towards international friendliness,
understanding and cooperation being one of the best ways to guide against
the creation of space debris and interference in outer space.
Does ICoC Create Barriers for New African Space
Players?
Given the enormous benefits derived from the exploration and exploitation
of outer space by spacefaring nations, the number of new entrants has
increased significantly over the years. The second part of this essay,
therefore, seeks to address the concern of whether the provisions of the
ICoC would create barriers for entry for emerging spacefaring countries,
particularly African States.
Interestingly, the African continent is the least involved in space activities
among all the continents. As a result, the level of adherence of African
countries to space treaties is very low. The African continent has 54 states but
only 21 states have ratified the Outer Space Treaty, while 12 states have
signed but have not ratified it; 14 states have ratified the Liability Convention,
while 10 states signed without ratifying it; three states have ratified the
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Registration Convention; while only one has ratified the Moon Agreement.
In the same vein, only 16 African states are members of UNCOPUOS.
Furthermore, of all the African states, only Nigeria, South Africa, Algeria,
Morocco, Egypt and Kenya are active in space. Even though Kenya has
space interest and is active in the African Resource and Environmental
Monitoring Constellation Satellites (ARMC) programme, it does not have a
satellite; hence, its level of participation in space activities is still at the policy
level.
In the light of the above, the participation of most African states in outer
space activities is likely to be futuristic. As a result, the provisions of Article I
of the Outer Space Treaty which states that outer space, including the Moon
and other Celestial Bodies shall be free for exploration and use by all states
without discrimination of any kind or on the basis of equality and in
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accordance with international law is a welcomed idea to all African States.
Hence, it is a welcome development that the future use of outer space by
new entrants is guaranteed by the provisions of the ITU Regulations on
Interestingly, the
African continent is
the least involved in
space activities
among all the
continents. As a
result, the level of
adherence of African
countries to space
treaties is very low.
The African continent
has 54 states but only
21 states have ratified
the Outer Space
Treaty, while 12 states
have signed but have
not ratified it; 14
states have ratified
the Liability
Convention, while 10
states signed without
ratifying it; three
states have ratified
the Registration
Convention; while
only one has ratified
the Moon
Agreement.In the
same vein, only 16
African states are
members of
UNCOPUOS.
ICoC and Sustainable Use of Outer Space: An African Perspective | www.orfonline.org 153