Deputy Minister Alvin Botes spoke passionately about the urgent need to protect innocent lives through International Humanitarian Law (IHL) in Africa’s many ongoing conflicts. He reminded leaders that these laws are not just words on paper but vital shields for civilians and aid workers caught in war. Africa stands at a critical moment to lead the world in upholding justice, compassion, and shared humanity amid new and complex threats. Botes called for unity and strong action so that the protection of human dignity becomes a global, unshakable commitment.
International Humanitarian Law (IHL) protects civilians and aid workers during conflicts, ensuring respect for human dignity. In Africa, with multiple ongoing crises, IHL is vital for safeguarding lives, promoting justice, and guiding governments to uphold legal and moral responsibilities amid evolving modern warfare challenges.
In the cool, gold-tinged mornings of Pretoria’s winter, a significant assembly of dignitaries and diplomats gathered for a profoundly meaningful occasion. Deputy Minister Alvin Botes, a prominent figure in South African international relations, addressed the African Ambassadors Corp on International Humanitarian Day. This global observance honors those who put themselves in harm’s way to protect civilians and uphold the principles of humanity during times of crisis. Yet, the gathering carried more than symbolic weight – it resonated with a shared sense of urgent moral purpose.
Deputy Minister Botes did not settle for mere formalities. He wove together the anguish of past atrocities and the enduring hope for a better future, reminding his audience that the observance was not simply about remembrance. Rather, it was a collective call to action. Behind every article of international law, he argued, exists a world of individuals whose lives depend on the enforcement of these standards. He urged his listeners to see humanitarian law not as distant theory, but as a living shield for those caught in the crossfire.
The atmosphere in the chamber shifted as Botes spoke. He articulated a vision of African leadership at a historic crossroads, where choices made by diplomats and policymakers would shape lives for generations. The day’s event became a reminder that the struggle to uphold humanitarian principles is not abstract – it unfolds in the decisions made by governments, organizations, and individuals every single day.
Botes placed people, not documents, at the heart of his speech. He reminded the assembled diplomats that international humanitarian law, far from being a relic, continues to shape the realities of modern conflicts. The Geneva Conventions – cornerstones of international law – do not exist as museum pieces, but as vital instruments for safeguarding civilian lives during war. Botes connected their enduring relevance to both global values and the African tradition of Ubuntu: a recognition of our shared responsibility for one another’s well-being.
The Deputy Minister painted a vivid picture of what respect for humanitarian law means on the ground. Those who provide aid amid violence, and doctors treating the wounded in makeshift clinics, rely on these laws for their safety and legitimacy. Botes insisted that these legal protections only matter if nations uphold them, even in the face of political pressure or shifting allegiances. He cautioned that the erosion of these principles could unravel the fragile protections that separate chaos from order in war.
Botes emphasized the importance of resilience and unwavering commitment. He challenged the audience to honor not only the letter of the law, but its spirit. Every aid worker lost to violence, every civilian targeted in conflict, represents a breach of the world’s moral contract. Upholding humanitarian law means choosing compassion over expediency, and justice over selective outrage.
The Deputy Minister offered a candid assessment of the present moment, describing a world beset by a complex web of crises. He drew historical parallels to remind his audience that the trauma of war has long shaped societies. But today, the forms of conflict have multiplied. Traditional wars now intersect with cyber-attacks, information warfare, and proxy battles, blurring the boundaries between soldier and civilian, front lines and home fronts.
Africa finds itself at the center of these overlapping crises. The continent faces more than twenty active conflicts, each with deep historical roots. Botes highlighted the suffering in places like Gaza – where tens of thousands have perished – and Sudan, where mass displacement has reached staggering levels. In South Sudan, a tenuous peace remains fragile, while in the Democratic Republic of Congo, sexual violence and political instability persist. Somalia continues to grapple with the dual threats of famine and insecurity.
Each humanitarian emergency, Botes noted, is unique. Yet common threads bind them: the suffering of the innocent, the challenges of delivering aid, and the loss of humanitarian workers whose sacrifices often go unrecognized. He invoked the haunting imagery of Picasso’s “Guernica,” a reminder that civilian anguish in war transcends borders and generations. The fate of the most vulnerable hangs in the balance, and the world’s response – or indifference – speaks volumes about our collective values.
Deputy Minister Botes reaffirmed South Africa’s enduring dedication to international humanitarian law. After emerging from the darkness of apartheid, South Africa embraced these principles as fundamental to its national identity. By ratifying the 1949 Geneva Conventions and enshrining them in domestic law, the country set a clear standard for its foreign policy. Botes argued that this commitment goes beyond compliance – it is a moral obligation rooted in the country’s history of struggle, resistance, and the pursuit of justice.
However, he did not shy away from acknowledging the world’s crisis of credibility regarding humanitarian law. Too often, powerful nations apply these standards selectively, championing the rights of some victims while ignoring others. Botes asserted that South Africa’s approach rejects such double standards. The nation’s foreign policy seeks to apply the same principles to every crisis, whether in Gaza, Ukraine, or the Sahel. Only by insisting on consistency can the world restore faith in the institutions meant to protect the innocent.
The Deputy Minister illustrated his point with anecdotes from the diplomatic frontlines. South African envoys often find themselves navigating volatile situations, their efforts shaped by the memory of their own nation’s struggle for freedom. Their resolve is a testament to the belief that international law must serve as an equalizer, not a tool for the powerful to wield at will.
Diplomacy often advances in increments, but recent developments signal renewed momentum. At the United Nations General Assembly in 2024, South Africa joined forces with countries including Brazil, China, France, Jordan, and Kazakhstan, along with the International Committee of the Red Cross. Together, they launched a “Global Initiative to Galvanise Political Support and Commitments to International Humanitarian Law.” This partnership aims to strengthen legal protections for civilians and humanitarian workers through coordinated action.
Botes outlined seven strategic areas for reform: preventing violations, improving national legal frameworks, integrating humanitarian law into peacebuilding, protecting civilian infrastructure, defending medical facilities, confronting information warfare, and updating maritime law. These workstreams reflect the evolving nature of conflict and the need for legal frameworks to keep pace with new threats.
Looking ahead, the planned 2026 Global Conference, “Upholding Humanity in War,” will bring together governments, organizations, and experts to share lessons and renew commitments. The conference aspires to foster a world where compassion and law advance hand-in-hand, even as the means of destruction continue to proliferate.
Africa’s role in this movement is pivotal. For too long, global powers have overlooked or marginalized African perspectives on humanitarian law. Botes invoked the legacy of leaders like Patrice Lumumba, calling on African nations to drive reform, establish robust IHL committees, and prioritize education and training for armed forces. By shaping international norms from within, Africa can shift from being a passive subject to an active architect of global humanitarian standards.
Throughout his speech, Botes returned to a theme that echoes across history: solidarity must not falter in the face of political convenience. Humanitarian law loses credibility when nations choose which tragedies to acknowledge and which to ignore. True commitment requires standing with all those who suffer, regardless of geography or politics.
The Deputy Minister likened this stance to the unity championed by Renaissance humanists and Stoic philosophers – a belief in the indivisibility of human dignity. Diplomats, he argued, must act as both advocates and witnesses, championing the rights of the vulnerable and holding the powerful to account. The future of humanitarian law rests on the daily actions of individuals and the collective resolve of nations.
The gathering in Pretoria represented more than tradition or protocol. It was a signpost for Africa’s emergence as a leader in the ongoing quest to humanize the face of war. Botes’s call to action challenges African states not just to implement reforms, but to forge a new global standard, rooted in their own experiences of resilience and moral courage.
The road ahead is fraught with complexity. Yet, as Botes reminded his audience, the story of Africa’s engagement with humanitarian law will be written by those who refuse to look away and who act in the name of shared humanity. In this vision, the fusion of law and compassion becomes not only possible, but essential.
International Humanitarian Law (IHL) comprises rules designed to protect civilians, aid workers, and those no longer participating in hostilities during armed conflicts. In Africa, where over twenty active conflicts persist, IHL is crucial to safeguarding innocent lives, ensuring respect for human dignity, and guiding governments to uphold legal and moral responsibilities amid evolving and complex warfare tactics. IHL serves as a vital shield that separates chaos from order in war zones.
Deputy Minister Alvin Botes sees Africa as standing at a historic crossroads with the opportunity to lead the world in upholding justice, compassion, and shared humanity. He calls on African nations to move from being passive subjects to active architects of global humanitarian standards by establishing robust IHL committees, prioritizing education and training for armed forces, and advocating for consistent and unified action on humanitarian issues.
Africa’s humanitarian challenges are multifaceted: ongoing violence, mass displacement, sexual violence, and threats to aid workers amid wars complicated by cyber-attacks, information warfare, and proxy battles. These challenges threaten the effectiveness of humanitarian law, as the erosion of legal protections can lead to further suffering and chaos. The complexity of conflicts – such as those in Gaza, Sudan, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Somalia – requires resilient and adaptive legal frameworks.
South Africa has ratified the 1949 Geneva Conventions and incorporated them into domestic law, reflecting a national identity forged through the struggle against apartheid. The country rejects selective application of humanitarian law and strives for consistency in protecting victims in all crises, whether in Gaza, Ukraine, or the Sahel. South African diplomacy emphasizes equal application of law as a moral obligation rooted in justice, resistance, and solidarity.
This initiative, launched at the 2024 UN General Assembly with South Africa and other countries, aims to strengthen legal protections for civilians and humanitarian workers through coordinated international efforts. It focuses on seven strategic reform areas, including preventing violations, improving national laws, protecting civilian infrastructure, and addressing modern threats like information warfare. Africa’s leadership and active participation in this initiative reinforce its pivotal role in shaping global humanitarian norms.
African nations can contribute by leading reforms, integrating humanitarian law into peacebuilding efforts, and fostering education and training for armed forces on IHL principles. By embracing solidarity and consistency, African states can challenge double standards, hold violators accountable, and help develop global humanitarian standards rooted in shared human dignity and resilience. Their active engagement will be essential to ensuring that compassion and law advance together despite the growing complexity of conflicts.
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