Describing the environment, in terms of institutions and policy-making fora, for humanitarian diplomacy and the promotion of international humanitarian law on the African continent, this article reviews the achievements of OAU-ICRC cooperation in promoting IHL between 1992 and 2002. The integration of IHL in the OAU-AU transformation process is also analysed, with a view to outlining possibilities for future cooperation with the AU and better implementation of IHL.

Humanitarian action is normally associated with external assistance in times of crisis. The "new humanitarian agenda" takes the view that this type of action is inappropriate to combat the root causes of conflicts. The New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) directs humanitarian action towards development as a means of conflict prevention and focuses on African solutions to problems on the African continent.

The origins of violence between groups and the prevention of renewed violence, with reference to Rwanda as the main example, are the focus of this article. The author argues that devaluation of “the other”, a history of cultural devaluation and past victimization may all contribute to genocide. The prevention of renewed violence requires the healing both of victims and of perpetrators and an understanding of the roots of violence.

In a revolutionary article the Constitutive Act of the African Union provides for the right of the Union, in cases of war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity, to intervene in a Member State. The author examines the article’s historical background and the principal objectives and underlying motivations of this major exception to the principle of territorial sovereignty, as well as foreseeable practical, legal and procedural difficulties in its future implementation.

The responsibility under international law of those who recruit children and the responsibility of child soldiers who commit serious violations of the laws of war are both examined in this article, with particular reference to practice and experience in Africa. Specific examples are given of the practice of Liberia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and Sierra Leone.

This article outlines the various political and socio-economic contexts in which many of the African conflicts take place. The nature and characteristics of the (mainly internal) armed conflicts are examined. In particular, the article reviews the work of the ICRC in these contexts and identifies the obstacles to efficient humanitarian assistance and protection.

Contemporary conflicts in Africa are analysed in this article from a temporal point of view. Such a perspective serves to provide elements that help explain the length of these conflicts and their deeper nature. It also casts doubt on the appropriateness of the term "ethnic war" to characterize some African conflicts and presents a hypothetical model that could be applied to other conflict zones around the world.

The focus of attention with regard to “child soldiers” has tended to be on abducted children or those forced or coerced into fighting. When asked, however, many children and young people themselves say that they volunteered.

28th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, Geneva, 3 December 2003

28th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, Geneva, 3 December 2003

28th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, Geneva, 3 December 2003

28th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, Geneva, 3 December 2003