Promotion of international humanitarian law through cooperation between the ICRC and the African Union

31-12-2003 International Review of the Red Cross No 852, p. 749-773 by Churchill Ewumbue-Monono, Carlo von Flüe

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.

Authors

Churchill Ewumbue-Monono, Minister plenipotentiary and Counsellor in Cameroon’s Embassy in Addis Ababa, is also Consultant on Humanitarian Diplomacy to the ICRC Permanent Mission to the African Union.

Carlo Von Flüe is currently Head of the ICRC Permanent Mission to the African Union and International Organisations in Africa in Addis Ababa.

Abstract

This article examines the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) cooperation with African diplomatic organizations such as the African Union (AU) to disseminate international humanitarian law in the African diplomatic community. Describing the institutional and policy environments for promoting international humanitarian law on the continent and carrying out humanitarian diplomacy efforts, it outlines the achievements of the Organization of African Unity (OAU)-ICRC cooperation in promoting international humanitarian law between 1992 and 2002.

The article further examines the integration of international humanitarian law in the OAU-AU transformation process between 1999 and 2002. It also shows the challenges and possibilities for ICRC humanitarian diplomacy endeavours and possible future cooperation with the AU and other international organizations in Africa for a better implementation of international humanitarian law and for the promotion of independent humanitarian action.

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