Atomic Reporters supports better factual reporting on the nuclear file. As well as working with media workers we also provide training and opportunities for young people to share and publish their views about the subject of nuclear weapons and related issues. In cooperation with the UN Office of Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), AR is running a series of essays by participants in its Youth Leader Fund fellowship program who visited Nagasaki and Hiroshima last year, Japanese cities attacked with atomic bombs by the US in 1945, the only time such weapons have been used in conflict. The first essay is from Amos Benjamin, a young Malawian activist who urges Africa to become a nuclear free zone.

Article by guest author Amos Benjamin

On August 26, 2024, I set foot in Nagasaki for the first time, a city with immense historical significance. This journey extended to Hiroshima for the rest of the week. As a humble changemaker from Malawi, Africa—where nuclear disarmament often takes a backseat to pressing development challenges—this experience was eye-opening. The key lesson I learned from this fellowship is that, despite nuclear disarmament not being a prevalent topic in Africa, we have a crucial role to play in safeguarding our nuclear-free status under the Pelindaba Treaty.

An African proverb comes to mind: “Fire goes where the bush is left.” This wisdom emphasizes the importance of prevention. To remain a nuclear-free zone, Africa must actively uphold the treaty, strengthen non-proliferation measures, and champion global disarmament efforts.

The study tour also underscored the need for Africa to unite and amplify its voice on the global stage. Efforts by African leaders to secure a permanent seat with veto power on the UN Security Council reflect this drive. At the United Nations General Assembly in September 2024, I was particularly inspired by repeated calls from African leaders for equitable representation on the Security Council. “The time to fix this is now,” declared Malawi’s President Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera. This call to action is crucial in ensuring that our voices are not only heard but also contribute meaningfully to a nuclear-free world, rather than being sidelined or reduced to tokenism.

As the saying goes, “Effective change starts at the grassroots level.” Small initiatives taken locally can have a profound global impact. It is imperative for everyone to understand the grave realities and catastrophic risks posed by nuclear weapons. A nuclear war would spell the end of humanity as we know it. Henceforth, as a sustainability advocate through my Clean Cities Project, I am committed to integrating conversations on nuclear disarmament into my sustainability work. I have already begun engaging youth globally on the existential threat that nuclear warfare poses to humanity. In this regard, organizations like Dublieu have invited me to present on the intersection of peace, nuclear disarmament, and sustainability. Through the Clean Cities Project, I plan to leverage existing structures in secondary schools and universities to foster dialogue on these critical topics.

Looking ahead, I aim to engage the African Union through their Peace and Security Council, to further amplify this mission. My goal is to highlight the devastating environmental and human impacts of nuclear weapons, thereby strengthening Africa’s voice in the global fight for disarmament.

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Amos Benjamin is a sustainability and peace advocate from Malawi. He is a fervent critic of warfare, advocating that military expenditure should instead be directed toward sustainability programs. This journey has led him to various international fellowships, including the inaugural Youth Leader Fund for a World Without Nuclear Weapons. He is the co-founder of the Clean Cities Project in Malawi, a youth-led social impact organization, where he envisions integrating nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation awareness into overall environmental goals. Follow Amon Benjamin on Instagram.