The Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre (MLAILPKC) has launched a comprehensive course to enhance peacekeeping capabilities in West Africa. The Comprehensive Protection of Civilians Course 36/2024, organized in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Government of Japan, aims to equip participants with the skills necessary to protect civilians in armed conflict.
The course was inaugurated today at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja, with dignitaries from West Africa and beyond in attendance. The ceremony featured speeches from the Special Guest of Honour, the Commandant of MLAILPKC, and the Team Lead of UNDP’s Governance, Peace, and Security Unit.
“The true measure of our success lies in the positive impact we create in the lives of those we are committed to protect,” said UNDP Team Lead, Governance, Peace and Security, Mr. Matthew Alao. “Protecting civilians is not just a professional call to duty; it is a moral imperative.”
The course, sponsored by UNDP and the Government of Japan, will cover topics such as international humanitarian law, human rights, prevention and response to conflict-related sexual violence, and practical aspects of civilian protection in peace support operations. Participants will acquire knowledge and skills necessary to safeguard civilian lives in armed conflict.
The MLAILPKC has trained over 1,000 peacekeepers, who have gone on to serve in various United Nations and African Union peacekeeping missions. This initiative aligns with the United Nations’ efforts to strengthen peacekeeping operations and protect civilians in conflict zones.
The Comprehensive Protection of Civilians Course is a vital step towards enhancing peacekeeping capabilities in West Africa and promoting a more just and peaceful world. The partnership between MLAILPKC, UNDP, and the Government of Japan demonstrates their commitment to fulfilling the United Nations Resolution 1265 on the protection of civilians in armed conflict.
The course will run for two weeks, and participants will be drawn from military, paramilitary, and civilian personnel from West Africa. The MLAILPKC has a reputation for delivering cutting-edge training, and this course is expected to be a valuable contribution to the region’s peacekeeping efforts.
In his keynote speech, the Commandant of MLAILPKC, Major General Ademola Taiwo Adedoja, emphasized the significance of the course in enhancing the skills and capabilities of peacekeepers to protect civilians in conflict zones. “We are all responsible for human rights, not just the authorities,” Adedoja quoted Romeo Dallaire, highlighting the collective responsibility to protect human rights.
The Special Guest of Honour, the Chief of Training (Army), Major General Sani Mohammed, represented by Major General Olusegun Abai, reiterated the importance of protecting civilians in conflict zones and the collaborative efforts of MLAILPKC, UNDP, and the Government of Japan. “This Comprehensive Protection of Civilians Course is put together to equip participants with skills required for the protection of civilians, minors, persons living with disabilities, and the vulnerable within the multi-dimensional conflict environment.”
The ceremony also featured a speech from the Team Lead of UNDP’s Governance, Peace, and Security Unit, who commended MLAILPKC for their dedication to developing national and regional capacities for peace support operations. “The protection of civilians is a moral imperative, and we are committed to supporting peacekeeping operations in West Africa,” said Alao.
The Comprehensive Protection of Civilians Course is a testament to the UNDP’s commitment to supporting peacekeeping operations and protecting civilians in conflict zones. The Government of Japan has been a key partner in the course, providing financial and technical support to the initiative.
Japan’s contribution to the course is part of its broader efforts to support peacekeeping operations globally. Japan has been a major contributor to United Nations peacekeeping operations, providing financial and personnel support to various missions around the world.
The MLAILPKC, established in 2013, has been at the forefront of peacekeeping training in West Africa. The Centre has trained over 1,000 peacekeepers, who have gone on to serve in various United Nations and African Union peacekeeping missions.
The Comprehensive Protection of Civilians Course is a vital initiative that aligns with the United Nations’ efforts to strengthen peacekeeping operations and protect civilians in conflict zones. The course is designed to address the growing concern of civilian casualties in armed conflicts, which has become a major challenge in global peacekeeping efforts.
According to the United Nations, civilians account for the majority of casualties in armed conflicts, with women and children being particularly vulnerable. The Comprehensive Protection of Civilians Course is a step towards addressing this challenge and promoting a more just and peaceful world.
In conclusion, the Comprehensive Protection of Civilians Course 36/2024 is a vital initiative that demonstrates the commitment of MLAILPKC, UNDP, and the Government of Japan to protecting civilians in conflict zones. The course is a testament to the power of partnership and collaboration in promoting peace and security