MDF, Malawi Red Cross Hold Crucial Workshop on International Humanitarian Law
This workshop marks a significant step in enhancing Malawi's capacity to implement and promote international humanitarian law, ensuring that the country remains a model for IHL compliance.
MPONELA (DOWA), Malawi – The Malawi Defence Force (MDF), in partnership with the Malawi Red Cross Society, is hosting a pivotal two-day workshop on the implementation of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) from July 16 to July 17, 2024, writes Winston Mwale.
The workshop is designed to bolster Malawi's capacity to adhere to and implement IHL, which governs the conduct of armed conflicts and aims to protect civilians and combatants.
"This workshop has been generously funded and supported by the Malawi Red Cross Society in collaboration with the National Defence College of Malawi," said Brigadier General Professor Dan Kuwali, Chairperson of the National International Humanitarian Law Committee in Malawi and Commandant of the NDC.
"The NDC is a professional military education institution established to train strategic leaders at the interagency level."
He said the workshop is part of a broader effort to reinforce the Malawi National Committee on International Humanitarian Law, which is recognized as a model in the region for its comprehensive representation of various sectors, including ministries, civil society organizations, the judiciary, and parliamentarians.
"The present committee comprises passionate, patriotic, and well-learned citizens committed to making the committee vibrant once more," Kuwali said.
"We are grateful to the Malawi Red Cross Society for the generous gesture to fund this workshop."
Chifundo Kalulu, Secretary General of the Malawi Red Cross Society, highlighted the organization's commitment to IHL and its longstanding support for the MDF.
"We have shown a strong commitment to international humanitarian law, especially during peacekeeping operations," Kalulu said.
"The Malawi Red Cross Society has supported the MDF on many occasions, particularly during emergencies, and we do not take that support for granted."
The workshop features various facilitators and moderators who will deliver presentations on different aspects of IHL.
Kuwali emphasized the importance of understanding IHL in both wartime and peacetime.
"International humanitarian law governs the conduct of hostilities in armed conflict," he said.
"The Geneva Conventions also provide obligations that we must implement in peacetime, including the dissemination of international humanitarian law."
Malawi is recognized as a best practice model for implementing IHL, having ratified most related treaties and working closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Justice.
"We are doing very well in terms of performance and adherence to these international laws," Kuwali said.
"This training session will make the community vibrant and strengthen our implementation mechanisms in Malawi."
Kalulu also praised the partnership between the MDF and the Malawi Red Cross Society, noting its significance in promoting IHL awareness and compliance.
"Protecting civilians in armed conflicts depends on respecting, implementing, and enforcing international humanitarian law," Kalulu said.
The MDF's involvement in peacekeeping missions abroad further underscores the importance of IHL training.
"Our troops must observe international humanitarian law during peacekeeping missions, especially in terms of protecting civilians and the wounded," Kalulu said.
Both Kuwali and Kalulu expressed gratitude to the facilitators, moderators, and participants for their contributions to the workshop.
They emphasized the importance of key takeaways that could be included in a policy brief for stakeholders.
"At the end of the workshop, we hope to come up with key takeaways to ensure we are aligned and to identify and close any gaps," Kuwali said.
This workshop marks a significant step in enhancing Malawi's capacity to implement and promote international humanitarian law, ensuring that the country remains a model for IHL compliance and enforcement in the region.