Africa | IHL in Action

New | Somalia, Training in International Humanitarian Law

The African Union Mission in Somalia and two other actors in the region enabled training in IHL and international human rights law for officers of the Somali National Army and the Special Police Force. The training was designed specifically for the Somali context and included references to traditions and religious rules that can be influential in ensuring respect for the law.

New | Libya, Canada’s Operation Mobile and the Principles of Proportionality and Precautions in Attack

In March 2011, during Canada's Operation Mobile in Libya, two Canadian fighter jets aborted an airstrike that they had been authorized to carry out: they did so because of their assessment that the collateral damage would be too high. Their actions, which demonstrated respect for the principles of proportionality and precautions in attack, may have been influenced by military ethics and also by military interests, particularly the wish to preserve political support for Operation Mobile.

New | Libya/Türkiye, Evacuation and Treatment of the Wounded

In 2011, during NATO-led Operation Unified Protector, Türkiye evacuated and treated seriously wounded from the besieged Libyan towns of Misurata and Benghazi. The wounded were cared for onboard a Turkish ship and, upon arrival at the Turkish port of Çeşme, were transported to medical centers for further care.

Eritrea/Ethiopia, Repatriation of Prisoners of War

In the aftermath of the Eritrean–Ethiopian War (1998-2000), both parties repatriated Prisoners of War (PoWs). The Algiers Peace Agreement enabled an independent commission to hear claims related to potential violations of international humanitarian law. This included an assessment as to whether POWs repatriation was made incompliance with IHL.

Libya, IHL Dissemination amongst Non-State Armed Groups

During the 2011 armed conflict in Libya, the Libyan National Transitional Council (NTC) launched a frontline manual on the fundamental rules of armed conflict and distributed it in various forms, including sending extracts as text messages on mobile phones and broadcasting non-stop radio and TV messages.

Mali, IHL Training for Organised Armed Groups and Malian Armed Forces

IHL training has been undertaken by the Malian armed forces and various non-state armed groups operating in Mali. The humanitarian principles of IHL find foundation in Malian domestic law and culture.

Sudan, Release of Detainees by Non-State Armed Groups

In the context of different internal conflicts in Sudan, both the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) have released detainees in response to appeals from religious leaders, civil society organizations and prestigious national figures. The president of Uganda negotiated and oversaw the release.

Democratic Republic of the Congo, Release of Prisoners of War

The Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement in 1999 included the commitment to release prisoners of war (POWs). Thanks to the support of the Security Council and the cooperation of different agencies and organizations, numerous POWs were eventually released by the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Côte d’Ivoire, Release of Prisoners

During the 2002-2004 armed conflict in Côte d’Ivoire, members of the Ivoirian Defense Forces were released by the Forces Nouvelles on two occasions. This release occurred in accordance with the Amnesty Law passed by the Ivorian Government and in the context of a peace agreement achieved between the Ivorian Government and the rebel forces, facilitated by external actors such as France and the UN.

Sudan, Neutralisation and Removal of Landmines

In 2015, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement–North neutralized its stockpile of anti-personnel landmines following the signature of a Deed of Commitment, and with the technical help provided by experts from Geneva Call. Subsequently, the United Nations Mine Action Service, collaborating with the Sudanese Government continues to clear millions of square meters from unexploded ordnances (UXO) and landmines.