Enhancing Nuclear Safety: Protecting Nuclear Power Plants Against Military Threats

The report argues that rising geopolitical instability and the military occupation of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant have exposed gaps in nuclear safety norms. It suggests that the Pelindaba Treaty may be insufficient for contemporary armed conflicts and recommends strengthening international regulations, expanding the IAEA's mandate, and protecting nuclear personnel and infrastructure to safeguard nuclear energy in Africa and globally.

• The 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent military occupation of an operational nuclear power plant have created a dangerous precedent that reduces the threshold for violating nuclear safety norms.
• The Pelindaba Treaty, specifically Article 11 which prohibits armed attacks on nuclear installations, may not be sufficient to address the complex risks to nuclear safety and security presented by modern armed conflicts.
• To enhance nuclear safety and security in Africa, the report recommends developing binding international regulations with enforcement mechanisms, expanding the IAEA's monitoring mandate, protecting non-formal nuclear infrastructure, ensuring the rights and well-being of nuclear personnel, and increasing corporate accountability for operating companies.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (2026). Enhancing Nuclear Safety: Protecting Nuclear Power Plants Against Military Threats. https://saiia.org.za/research/enhancing-nuclear-safety-protecting-nuclear-power-plants-against-military-threats/

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. Enhancing Nuclear Safety: Protecting Nuclear Power Plants Against Military Threats. 2026. https://saiia.org.za/research/enhancing-nuclear-safety-protecting-nuclear-power-plants-against-military-threats/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=Enhancing Nuclear Safety: Protecting Nuclear Power Plants Against Military Threats |date=26 March 2026 |url=https://saiia.org.za/research/enhancing-nuclear-safety-protecting-nuclear-power-plants-against-military-threats/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairs2026enhancing, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{Enhancing Nuclear Safety: Protecting Nuclear Power Plants Against Military Threats}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2026}, month = mar, url = {https://saiia.org.za/research/enhancing-nuclear-safety-protecting-nuclear-power-plants-against-military-threats/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }