The United Nations Development Programme has called on security agencies to focus on protecting civilians and humanitarian workers during armed conflicts. They emphasized that this approach would help reduce casualties. Matthew Alao, the Team Lead of the Governance, Peace, and Security Unit at UNDP Nigeria, expressed this during the inauguration of the Comprehensive Protection of Civilians Course 36/2024 in Abuja on Tuesday. Representing Alao, Richard Olugula highlighted the significant suffering civilians endure in conflict zones globally. He stressed the importance of ensuring their safety, upholding their rights, and preserving their dignity.
“The protection of civilians during violent conflicts by peacekeepers, security personnel, and humanitarian workers is crucial to minimizing casualties,” emphasized Alao. He underscored that civilians often bear the brunt of hostilities and uncertainties in conflict zones worldwide. “Ensuring their safety, upholding their rights, and safeguarding their dignity are paramount.”
The course aims to equip participants with tools and strategies necessary for protecting civilians amidst armed conflicts. “As we launch this course today, our success will be measured by the positive impact we create in the lives of those we protect,” said Alao. “Protecting civilians isn’t just a professional duty; it’s a moral imperative,” he added, urging participants to fully engage, learn from each other, and build sustainable networks for career and leadership development.
Alao commended the Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre for its commitment to enhancing national and regional capacities for peace support operations. Major-General Ademola Adedoja, the Commandant of the Centre, affirmed their dedication to improving peacekeeping operations in Nigeria and across Africa through comprehensive training aligned with UN standards. He noted that graduates of the course would be qualified for deployment in integrated peacekeeping operations under the UN, AU, and ECOWAS missions.
Participants in the course hailed from various sectors, including the military, paramilitary agencies, government ministries, departments, agencies, and non-governmental organizations from six West African countries, including Nigeria.
