The Tool on African Traditions and the Preservation of Humanity in Warfare

As a means of demonstrating the relevance and applicability of international humanitarian law (IHL) to stakeholders on the African continent, as well as to stimulate reflection and enliven debate around IHL in Africa, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) undertook in 2018 to examine the historical relationship between Africa and IHL, as reflected in traditions and values.

 

The research conducted by the ICRC resulted in the launch in 2021 of a Tool comprising of 11 practices and related illustrations highlighting African traditions and values that correlate with international legal obligations under IHL. These incorporate local traditions and values from peoples living in the areas corresponding today to the states of Ghana, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Somalia, South Sudan, Kenya, Nigeria, and the broader Sahel region. The Tool was updated in 2025 to include additional practices from people living in the areas corresponding to today’s Mozambique, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Mauritania, and the broader Central and East African regions.

The Tool comes in a number of formats all highlighting the collected practices, related illustrations and the relevant principles of IHL. 

Overall, the ICRC hopes that this Tool may contribute to a process towards the reduction of suffering during times of armed conflict, which remains the ICRC's ultimate goal.