أ) أهداف التعهد
Preamble
We, the Member States of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), aware of our responsibility in promoting and effectively implementing IHL in the region, reaffirm our commitment to protecting populations affected by armed conflicts. Having validated the ECOWAS Action Plan on IHL, we recognize the need to intensify our efforts to ensure the promotion, integration, implementation, and respect for IHL.
This pledge has been developed as an outcome of the 20th ICRC-ECOWAS annual review meeting on the implementation of IHL in West Africa which was held in Abuja (Nigeria) from September 24 to 26, 2024.
ب) خطة العمل:
We, ECOWAS Member States, commit, for the period 2024-2028, to implementing the ECOWAS Action Plan on IHL. This commitment is part of a collective approach aimed at strengthening respect for IHL in the region.
In particular, we specifically commit to achieving the following strategic objectives:
1. Creation, Reactivation and Strengthening of National IHL Commissions
Each Member State commits to creating or reactivating its National IHL Commission or inter-ministerial body responsible for IHL, in order to effectively advise and support the government in implementing and promoting IHL. Furthermore, we commit to strengthening the work of those that are already established.
2. Protection of Children and Schools in Armed Conflicts
We encourage the ratification / adhesion and national implementation of treaties and declarations relating to the protection of children in armed conflict, including the 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child, its 2000 Optional Protocol on the involvement of children in armed conflict, and the Paris Principles on Children Associated with Armed Forces or Armed Groups.
Furthermore, we encourage States that have not yet done so to sign the Safe School Declaration and to promote its effective implementation with a view to improve the protection of education in situation of armed conflicts.
3. Humanitarian Access
We commit to ensuring rapid, safe, and unimpeded access by impartial humanitarian actors to all civilians affected by armed conflicts and other situations of violence. We pledge to provide the necessary consent for these humanitarian operations in a manner consistent with relevant provisions of IHL, to not arbitrarily delay or obstruct the delivery of aid and to support measures or initiatives to guarantee the safety of humanitarian workers.
4. Autonomous Weapons Systems
In line with the ECOWAS Freetown Communiqué, we support the urgent need for negotiations to establish a legally binding instrument to regulate the use of autonomous weapons systems. This instrument should provide specific prohibitions and regulations in line with IHL rules and international human rights law while respecting ethical principles.
5. Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas
We encourage States to consider endorsing and effectively implementing the Political Declaration on Strengthening the Protection of Civilians from the Humanitarian Consequences arising from the use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas (EWIPA Political Declaration).
Conclusion
This pledge for the 2024-2028 period reflects our collective commitment to promote better respect for IHL in West Africa, protecting the most vulnerable populations and strengthening legal and institutional mechanisms to ensure respect for IHL.
ج) مؤشرات قياس التقدم المحرز
- Increase in the number of IHL national committees or similar entities of ECOWAS Member States.
- Number of IHL trainings and peer-to-peer engagements between national IHL committees or similar entities of ECOWAS Member States.
- Number of IHL national action plan adopted by ECOWAS Member States.
- Number of IHL training for armed forces and the judiciary carried out by ECOWAS Member States.
- Number of IHL treaties ratified or acceded to by ECOWAS Member States.
- Number of laws, legislative amendments or policies related to the protection of children in armed conflict adopted by ECOWAS Member States.
- Increase in the number of ECOWAS Member States who have adhered and implemented the Paris Principles on Children Associated with Armed Forces or Armed Groups and the Safe School Declaration.
- Number of ECOWAS Member States who have endorsed the EWIPA Political Declaration.
- Number of ECOWAS member states that have adopted measures and/or legal provisions to ensure humanitarian access in situations of armed conflict and other situations of violence.
د) الآثار المترتبة على الموارد:
Resources provided by Member States, the ECOWAS Commission and the ICRC as well as other donors and partner agencies.
