𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐇𝐄𝐍𝐒𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐎𝐅 𝐂𝐈𝐕𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐀𝐍𝐒 𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐒𝐄
Attacks on civilians, civilian infrastructure, abduction, and kidnapping, among other violations of the International Humanitarian Law (IHL), have seen a 46% increase in the number of people in need of protection from 113 million to 116 million in 2 years. This calls for continued action to improve the state of human security.
The Peace and Conflict Studies School has over the past 2 weeks conducted a Comprehensive Protection of Civilians (POC) course, for a rich audience spanning 13 countries from around the globe. The training aimed at equipping middle senior-level participants from military, police and civilian backgrounds, with expertise that would enable them to effectively assess, plan and implement the POC in UN and AU peace operations.
Consequently, having met the objectives of the course, the participants were officially issued with their certificates during the course's closing ceremony. In attendance was the lHL Advisor to the British Peace Support Team-Africa, Mr Andrew Powell, who represented the UK government, the sponsors of the course. In his speech, he echoed the sentiments of his country, who are endeared to the advancement of Human Security.
The course was officially closed by the Commandant PCSS, Col E W Ngigi, who bade goodbye to the participants, and in her parting shot she remarked, "Together we can build a world where civilians are spared from the horrors of conflict, and where peace, prevails."
