The Head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Africa, Patrick Youssef, highlighted the important role of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) in using technology to protect civilians.
Youssef was speaking in Kigali on Tuesday during a workshop which brought together senior Rwandan military officers, security personnel, and participants from various African countries and beyond.
Youssef emphasized that the workshop provided a valuable platform for expert exchanges between military practitioners, humanitarian actors and academic experts.
These discussions focused on raising awareness about emerging technologies used in warfare and the necessity to adapt International Humanitarian Law (IHL) to these new developments to restrict methods of warfare and protect civilians.
He stated, “You know that the ICRC has been working with the RDF for a long time, not only within the country but also outside. We have agreements of cooperation with the RDF regarding the training given to soldiers before they are deployed abroad in peacekeeping missions under the United Nations in the Central African Republic or in other programs like in Mozambique,”
“The Rwanda Defence Force, wherever they are, work together to ensure that no civilian is harmed by this technology.” he added
The spokesperson for the RDF, Brig. Gen Ronald Rwivanga, reiterated that in all military operations, whether domestic or international, the RDF prioritizes technology because it aids in accurately targeting the enemy without harming civilians.
“These training sessions aim to bring together security agencies and the International Committee of the Red Cross, ICRC, to study the development of military technology and how it helps in ensuring the safety of civilians. There are many issues in warfare related to the use of equipment that can affect civilians,” he said.
“In the discussions we are having, we are looking at ways to minimize the impact on civilians. Everywhere we operate, we think a lot about the civilian; the civilian must be protected, which is why we work closely with them to ensure that wherever we send our troops, the civilian is protected in every possible way.” he added.
The ICRC also commented on the broader impact of new technologies on human interaction, particularly during armed conflicts.
Many military forces are heavily investing in developing means and methods of warfare that rely on digital technology. This includes the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) or drones, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cyber Operations, Autonomous Weapon Systems (AWS), and Outer Space technologies in contemporary armed conflicts, including the military use of space objects.
Technological advances can positively impact the protection of civilians in armed conflict: weapons can be used with greater precision, military decisions can be better informed, and military objectives can be achieved without the use of kinetic force or physical destruction.
However, new methods of warfare and their employment can also pose new risks to combatants and civilians, according to security experts.
States that develop or acquire such weapons or methods of warfare, experts urge are responsible for ensuring their use complies with International Humanitarian Law (IHL).
The ICRC’s assessment of the foreseeable humanitarian impact of these technologies focuses on the applicability of IHL and the associated military, technical, ethical, and humanitarian considerations.
Written by Emma-Marie Umurerwa
Iriba.news@gmail.com
