The International Committee of the Red Cross, ICRC, organised a two-day workshop from July 2 and 3, 2025, for lawyers in the Southwest Region. The workshop focused on reinforcing the lawyers’ knowledge of international humanitarian law, IHL. The event, hosted in Buea, brought together practising lawyers, members of bar associations, and legal faculties to enhance their understanding of the legal framework governing non-international armed conflicts.
According to Katrien Turgeon, Head of Sub-Delegation for the ICRC in Buea, the workshop aimed to “engage with lawyers, as key stakeholders, on the application of IHL, challenges they face, and deepen their understanding of the subject.” She added, “As the ICRC, we’re known as guardians of IHL. We ensure its application in conflict settings and engage with stakeholders to prevent violations.”
The workshop was necessitated by the ongoing crisis in the Southwest and Northwest regions, which transformed from protests in late 2016 into an armed conflict in 2017 and has lingered on to date.
The conflict has resulted in human rights violations on both sides, and with lawyers having a crucial role to play in ensuring that IHL is understood, applied, and enforced, the ICRC decided to reinforce their capacities so that lawyers can go about their work efficiently.
Barrister Nouvelliza Eta-Besong, a participant at the workshop, who also doubles as the President of Fako Lawyers Association, FAKLA, emphasised the importance of the training for lawyers in the region.
“This workshop is timely, given the context of the Southwest and Northwest regions. It’s essential for lawyers to refresh their knowledge on international humanitarian law, especially with many young lawyers entering the profession,” she said.
The workshop aimed to provide practical tools for identifying and addressing violations of IHL, as well as promoting the use of IHL arguments in legal defence, advocacy, and judicial processes. According to Barrister Nouvelliza Eta-Besong,
“The training is a step in the right direction. As lawyers, we’re aware of IHL, but we need concrete reports and first-hand information to act effectively.”
The ICRC hopes that the workshop will lead to tangible changes in the community. As a leader of lawyers in Fako, Barrister Eta-Besong believes that “by sensitising the community on the differences between international and non-international armed conflicts, we can provide better advice and support. This training will spark interest in international law, particularly among younger lawyers, and enable us to be more proactive in serving our community,” she said.
The ICRC has been working in Cameroon since 2014, providing humanitarian assistance to people affected by the conflict. The organisation has been providing essential aid, including food assistance, water system rehabilitation, and access to medical care.
The ICRC says the workshop is part of its efforts to promote and strengthen international humanitarian law and universal humanitarian principles. It believes equipping legal professionals with the knowledge and tools needed to incorporate IHL into their practice will effectively contribute to the protection of human dignity and the rule of law in the Northwest and Southwest regions, bedevilled by a war for eight years and counting.
By Andrew Nsoseka
