BACKGROUND

Since the year 2000, in close cooperation with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) integrated International Humanitarian Law (IHL) in its management instruments, training and operations in accordance to the Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocols.

COOPERATION WITH ICRC HAS TAKEN THREE MAIN FORMS:

• Dissemination of material especially texts of present conventions and protocols which is an obligation to all state parties

• Training covering training of trainers and providing trainers’ kits

• Integration of IHL in doctrine, training, operations and acquisitions

MAIN ACTIVITIES BY THE RDF:

• Dissemination of IHL knowledge mainly through Defence Forces’ Magazine

• IHL Training of Trainers Programme has been coupled to the RDF Trainers Programmes like Methods of Instruction Courses and the Instructional Technology Courses

• Familiarisation training sessions to Officers during various scheduled Officer Training Courses

• Familiarisation training sessions to soldiers during Unit Training Programme and pre-deployment training

• Integrating IHL in RDF doctrine for operations. This is mainly during command post exercises and tactical exercises without troops

• Internal and Regional Competition exercises in