Yaounde: Journalist drilled on international humanitarian law, conflict reporting.

The workshop is organised by the International Committee of the Red Cross, ICRC.

It was launched on behalf of the Minister of Communication, Rene Emmanuel Sadi, by his Inspector General of the ministry, Metuge Ekaney. 

This was in the presence of the Head of Regional Delegation of the ICRC for Central Africa, Stephane Bonamy. 

The workshop is organised as part of activities to mark the 75th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions of August 12, 1949, from which the ICRC was founded.

According to the organisers, the workshop, aside raising awareness on the Geneva Conventions and International Humanitarian Law, also aims at encouraging journalists to improve the media visibility on humanitarian issues in Cameroon which are highly under-reported.

Speaking during the launch of the workshop, the Head of ICRC Regional Delegation, Stephane Bonamy, emphasised that the ICRC is and remains a neutral and independent international humanitarian organisation mandated by the community of States to provide protection and assistance to victims of armed conflict and other situations of violence.

The ICRC, Bonamy added, also works for the promotion and implementation of International Humanitarian Law. 

Bonamy also used the opportunity to reassure participants of ICRC’s commitment to contribute to the strengthening of the operational capacities of national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies in the sub-region.

The Head of Regional Delegation of the ICRC used the workshop to underscore the important role of journalists during conflict situations. 

“The role of journalists during conflict is very important because it is usually under-covered and they create visibility on the various situations that are most often hidden by the noise of weapons,” Bonamy stated. 

He added that: “It is very important for journalists to give a voice to those who are suffering on one side and on the other side, give visibility on the conflict”.

Bonamy also harped on “creating a better environment for the rules of IHL with the objective of minimizing the suffering of civilian population and for such rules to be strengthened”.

The Head of Regional Delegation of the ICRC for Central Africa sounded upbeat that at the end of this workshop, “the journalists will be better equipped on what the Geneva Conventions are about and what conflicts mean for civilian population and how to cover it”. 

Enter MINCOM representative 

On his part, the minister’s representative, Metuge Ekaney, lauded the existing cooperation between the Cameroon government and the ICRC. 

He also hailed the ICRC’s initiative to organise such workshop with media men and women to drill them on the complex conflicts the country is faced with. 

According the MINCOM official, the humanitarian crisis in the country is a wakeup call for journalists to play their indispensable role expected of them. 

While raising the different instrument and international regulation protecting journalists working in conflict zones, he urged them to make use of the situation to better equip themselves and to limit the risks incur while reporting on conflict situations. 

This story was first published in The Guardian Post issue No:3199 of Wednesday August 14, 2024