The world remains heavily armed with nuclear warheads, with approximately 12,100 nuclear warheads existing worldwide as of January 2024. A staggering 90% of these weapons are controlled by just two nations: Russia and the United States. This dominance raises concerns about the ongoing geopolitical tensions and the importance of these weapons as deterrents.

The nuclear arms race has been a pressing global issue since the Cold War era. Despite efforts to reduce stockpiles, the world's nuclear powers continue to invest heavily in their nuclear programs. The United States' projected nuclear budget for 2022 and beyond indicates increasing spending rather than reductions. Similar trends are seen in Russia, China, and other nuclear-armed nations.

The debate over nuclear disarmament continues, with the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons being adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in July 2017. However, major nuclear powers, including the United States and Russia, have not joined the treaty. Instead, they continue to maintain and upgrade their arsenals.

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the top 9 countries with the most nuclear warheads are Russia (5,899), the United States (5,244), China (410), France (290), the United Kingdom (225), Pakistan (170), India (164), Israel (90), and North Korea (30).

Africa stands out as a nuclear-free region, committed to peaceful conflict resolution and advocating for a world free of nuclear weapons. The African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (Pelindaba Treaty) prohibits nuclear weapon development and testing. South Africa is the only nation on the continent to have developed and voluntarily dismantled its nuclear weapons program in the 1990s.

The absence of nuclear-armed countries in Africa is a significant achievement, especially considering the region's history of conflict and political instability. Africa's commitment to peaceful conflict resolution and nuclear disarmament serves as a beacon of hope in a world still heavily invested in nuclear weapons.

As global nuclear tensions continue, the world remains vigilant, watching the actions of nuclear powers and advocating for a world free of nuclear weapons. The ongoing debate over nuclear disarmament and the importance of Africa's nuclear-free status will continue to shape the global conversation on nuclear weapons.

In conclusion, the dominance of Russia and the US in global nuclear stockpiles raises concerns about the ongoing geopolitical tensions and the importance of these weapons as deterrents. Meanwhile, Africa's commitment to peaceful conflict resolution and nuclear disarmament serves as a model for the rest of the world. As the global debate over nuclear weapons continues, it is essential to acknowledge the complexities of the issue and work towards a safer, more peaceful world.