First specialized training in international humanitarian law for the legal staff of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights
Africa Princess Hotel, Banjul, The Gambia – July 7-8, 2025
KEY INFORMATION
WHAT? First training session in international humanitarian law exclusively dedicated to the legal staff of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
WHEN? July 7-8, 2025, Africa Princess Hotel, Banjul, The Gambia
CONTEXT: This initiative is part of the Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2015 between the two institutions and marks an important milestone in strengthening their capacity to protect vulnerable people
STRENGTHENING PROTECTION CAPACITIES
Thirty-three years after the ICRC obtained observer status with the ACHPR and ten years after the signing of their Memorandum of Understanding, this training marks a new phase in cooperation between the two institutions. It aims to strengthen the expertise of ACHPR legal staff in international humanitarian law.
International humanitarian law, also known as the law of armed conflict or the law of war, is the body of rules that, for humanitarian reasons, seeks to limit the effects of armed conflicts. It protects people who are not or are no longer participating in combat and restricts the means and methods of warfare.
ADDRESSING AFRICAN HUMANITARIAN CHALLENGES
This initiative responds to a growing need for expertise in international humanitarian law within the ACHPR. The Commission, in its mission to promote and protect human and peoples’ rights in Africa, regularly intervenes in contexts affected by armed conflicts and other situations of violence.
“This training comes at a crucial time when humanitarian challenges in Africa require enhanced legal expertise,” says Mr. Jean Nicolas Marti, Head of the ICRC Regional Delegation in Dakar. “Our objective is to contribute to strengthening ACHPR’s capacities for better protection of vulnerable people on the continent,” he added.
STRENGTHENED INSTITUTIONAL COOPERATION
The Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2015 between the ICRC and the ACHPR aims to “promote collaboration on matters of mutual interest towards the common ultimate objective of preserving the fundamental dignity of human beings.” It emphasizes the importance for the ACHPR to contribute “to better protection of people in all circumstances through the promotion, dissemination and interpretation of human rights instruments, as well as international humanitarian law instruments.”
This training is also part of the ICRC’s broader strategy of dialogue with African Union institutions, including collaborations with the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.
TOWARDS ENHANCED COMPLEMENTARITY BETWEEN IHL AND HUMAN RIGHTS
The initiative aims to strengthen complementarity between international humanitarian law and international human rights law, as enshrined in the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. This complementary approach enables more effective protection of people affected by armed conflicts.
This pilot session is part of a longer-term perspective aimed at organizing regular IHL training sessions for ACHPR lawyers, also in connection with the ICRC’s global initiative which aims, by 2026, to revitalize States’ political commitment to international humanitarian law.
EXPECTED IMPACT
This training should enable ACHPR legal staff to:
Better qualify situations of armed conflict within their mandate
Strengthen their expertise in analyzing IHL violations
Improve their capacity to document and handle cases of violations
Develop an integrated IHL/human rights approach in their missions
MEDIA CONTACTS
For the ICRC : Charles Sanches, Coordinateur Communication, chsanches@icrc.org; Tél. +221 78 637 07 85 I +221 77 118 28 54
For the ACHPR: Samantha Kambule, Senior Public Relations Officer Email: KambuleS@AfricanUnion.org Phone: +220 230 4361
ABOUT
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is an impartial, neutral and independent organization whose exclusively humanitarian mission is to protect the lives and dignity of victims of armed conflict and other situations of violence, and to provide them with assistance. The ICRC also endeavors to prevent suffering by promoting and strengthening humanitarian law and universal humanitarian principles.
The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) is the principal organ for the promotion and protection of human and peoples’ rights in Africa. Established in 1987, it ensures the implementation of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
