EAC military officers trained on ethics and law of conflict

Musanze –  Officers from the East African Community attending an international course on military ethics and the law of armed conflict have been urged to observe ethics during war and peace support operations. 

Tuesday, March 06, 2012
Military officers begin a three days training on ethics. The New Times / Bonny Mukombozi.

Musanze –  Officers from the East African Community attending an international course on military ethics and the law of armed conflict have been urged to observe ethics during war and peace support operations.  Brig. Gen Jacques Musemakweri, head of RDF civil-military relations department (J5), said the armed forces should take responsible decisions in intense situations where ‘time is usually short and people’s lives are at stake’.The three-week course started yesterday at Nyakinama Military Academy and brought together 30 senior military officers from all the five EAC member states."We need to train together to gain more insights on how to handle the more complex operating environments that present the military with grey areas between what is right and what is wrong, as we make vital decisions in war or peace operations,” Musemakweri said.The training is facilitated by the Dutch and aims at enhancing professionalism in the areas of humanitarian and peace support operations. In his remarks, the Netherlands Ambassador to Rwanda, Frans Makken, commended RDF’s professional conduct."This course brings closer the objective that you will be increasingly more capable of solving African problems in Africa with African forces,” Makken said."This course is a personal journey about your responsibilities, and relationship with your commanders in different situations,” he added