The Military Law and Law of War to serve in wartime peace

Experts on the subject gathered since Monday as part of the 11th Congress of the International Society for Military Law and the Law of War.

Peace is possible in wartime. This targets more civilians and aims to protect human rights.

In technical language, deployment of specialized bodies for the safeguarding of human rights in times of war are called "Peace Operations.” Since yesterday, therefore, the workshop of the 11th Congress of the International Society for Military Law and Law of War (SIDMDG), opened at the International War College in Yaoundé, to lead to the drafting of a handbook on international law applicable in peace support operations.

They are made up of some fifty experts from member states of SIDMDG (including Cameroon) and representatives of international organizations (UN, EU, NATO, AU, ICRC, ECCAS, ECOWAS), which will have to reflect on research and harmonization of internal rights in promoting peace in wartime.

Moreover, Cameroonian experts will demonstrate the evolution of the application of international humanitarian law within the Cameroonian defense forces. By sharing experiences, the meeting of African experts should lead to "design a training plan and preparation of peace operations," noted Alfons Vanheusen, secretary general of the SIDMDG.

Opening the workshop yesterday, Koumpa Issa, Secretary of State to the Minister for the Presidency for Veterans and War Victims, representing the Minister Edgard Alain Mebe Ngo'o, welcomed the choice of Cameroon to host this session.

Experts prescribed scientific rigor and spirit to produce a universally valid document. The workshop focuses on fundamental issues in wartime such as African perspectives in planning and setting up of a peace operation mandated by the United Nations. A major focus will also be on the protection of civilians and compensation application procedures during peace operations.