POLICY WORKSHOP HOLDS IN ABUJA –NIGERIA
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), through its Directorate of
Peacekeeping and Regional Security (DPKRS), in collaboration with the International Committee
of the Red Cross (ICRC), is holding a three-day Workshop on the Development of a Protection of
Civilians (PoC) Policy for ECOWAS Peace Support Operations from 3rd to 5th March 2026 in Abuja,
Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The workshop aims to develop a comprehensive and operationally grounded Protection of
Civilians policy that will strengthen ECOWAS’ capacity to prevent and mitigate harm to civilian
populations during Peace Support Operations (PSOs). The engagement provides a platform to
review relevant regional and international frameworks and generate practical
recommendations tailored to ECOWAS’ operational realities.
The opening ceremony featured remarks from senior representatives of ECOWAS and the ICRC.
Delivering the opening remarks on behalf of the Director of Peacekeeping and Regional Security,
Dr. Cyriaque P. Agnekethom, ECOWAS reaffirmed its commitment to institutionalizing
preventive measures that minimize incidental harm and integrate civilian protection
considerations into mission planning, rules of engagement, training, command responsibility,
civil-military coordination, and accountability mechanisms. He emphasized that the legitimacy,
credibility, and effectiveness of ECOWAS Peace Support Operations depend significantly on the
trust and confidence of the populations they are mandated to protect.
In his welcome remarks, the Deputy Head of Delegation of the ICRC underscored the importance
of developing a policy framework that translates international humanitarian and human rights
obligations into practical operational guidance. He noted that civilians continue to bear the
brunt of armed conflicts, terrorism, and other situations of violence, and stressed that respecting
International Humanitarian Law (IHL) remains fundamental to sparing civilian lives,
safeguarding essential services, and enabling humanitarian actors to operate safely.
He further highlighted the ICRC’s longstanding partnership with ECOWAS institutions, including
technical support in strengthening IHL implementation, collaboration with the ECOWAS
Standby Force through workshops and training sessions, and assistance in the development of
PRESS RELEASE
doctrines and standards aimed at enhancing civilian protection. He commended ECOWAS for its
proactive engagement in developing a dedicated Protection of Civilians policy as part of its
broader commitment to upholding humanitarian principles within the region.
Participants drawn from ECOWAS Member States, the ECOWAS Commission, and the ICRC will,
over the course of the workshop, examine relevant instruments including African Union and
United Nations Protection of Civilians policies. The deliberations are expected to produce
practical recommendations that will inform the drafting and eventual adoption of an ECOWAS
Protection of Civilians Policy.
The workshop reflects ECOWAS’ continued efforts to strengthen its peace and security
architecture in the face of evolving threats, including terrorism and other forms of violent
extremism, while ensuring that the protection of civilians remains central to regional peace
support interventions.
