NAN-HG-2
Training
By Talatu Maiwada
Abuja, Nov. 21, 2017(NAN) International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) in partnership with Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission had commenced training of 40 members of ECOWAS-Standby Force on International Humanitarian Law (IHL).
The information is in a statement by Miss Esther Eleojo, the Media Officer of
ICRC on Tuesday in Abuja.
Eleojo stated that the five-day training was aimed at enhancing operational readiness of the ECOWAS Standby Force (ESF).
She noted that “ESF is a multi-disciplinary force comprising the military, police and civilian personnel from ECOWAS member states who provide personnel for regional and continental peace support operations missions.’’
She quoted Myriam El Kholi, the ICRC Deputy Head of delegation in Nigeria as saying
“we live in times characterised by increasingly complex situations of armed conflict and violence, not just in Africa but the world at large.
“It is time like this that challenges us to emphatically demonstrate in our words and actions that wars do have limits.’’
Eleojo also quoted Mrs Halima Ahmed, the Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, ECOWAS Commission, as saying the protection of civilians was always at the core of any peacekeeping mission.
Ahmed said the integration of IHL into law enforcement operational practices of ESF would promote respect for the laws, regardless of where members were deployed for peacekeeping operations in the region.
The media officer, however, stated that the training would focus on IHL and rules pertaining to law enforcement situations, application of legal concepts in military operations and protection of civilians during hostilities.
ICRC is a Non-Governmental Organisation aimed at protecting and assisting persons affected by armed conflict and other situations of violence. (NAN)
TIM/COO/HA
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Edited by Cecilia Odey/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu