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Even in times of war, sacred spaces were off-limits. Communities upheld this out of reverence and restraint. Today, IHL carries forward that protection—places of worship must never become targets. Learn more: bit.ly/4jZ4qUE #AfricanValuesInWar

To mark #AfricaDay, we partnered with University of Johannesburg for a panel discussion on how African traditions can reduce war’s impact on civilians. Students & academics agreed such practices exist and emphasized the need for armed actors to follow these traditional rules in conflict.

Prison overcrowding undermines rehabilitation. While constructing new facilities is vital, it must go hand-in-hand with improving judicial efficiency, investing in non-custodial alternatives& maintaining existing infrastructure to reduce long-term strain on correctional systems.

At the Workshop on Prisons Infrastructure in Africa currently underway in #Windhoek, our WatHab Advisor in Detention, Geert De Vries highlighted the ICRC's role in promoting humane conditions for those deprived of liberty, regardless of their detention reasons. #Humanity

During visits to detention facilities, our multidisciplinary teams assess all areas used by detainees, including spaces for sleeping, washing, eating, and meeting with families and legal representatives. Our teams consist of engineers, architects, and other specialists. #Humanity

Yesterday, ICRC Southern Africa and Lesotho Red Cross held a session with the #Lesotho National IHL Committee on core #IHL and humanitarian principles—exploring ways to save lives, prevent violations, and promote respect for IHL and human rights in conflict and violence.

Prison design significantly influences prison operations. It is essential for prisons to rehabilitate inmates, ensuring their successful reintegration into society. However, without the appropriate design, effective rehabilitation cannot occur.

Participants of the #WPIA workshop learned about the Namibia Correctional System's services for detainees including telephone access to stay connected with loved ones. Correctional Service management emphasized the importance of humane treatment and upholding detainee rights.

In our interactions with detainees at the Windhoek Correctional Facility, it became evident that the available recreational, mental health & educational facilities significantly contribute to their health and well-being. Vital for rehabilitation and reintegration into society!

Lesotho’s National IHL Committee reflects on boosting global IHL compliance through awareness campaigns, public engagement, dialogue with authorities, and strengthening National IHL Committees during IHL training.

During the workshop on prison infrastructure in Africa held in #Windhoek, all participants agreed that the dignity of detainees should be central in designing correctional facilities. This focus is vital for inmates' mental &physical well-being &their reintegration into society.

Correctional facility is now the preferred term over "prison", highlighting a shift toward rehabilitation. These facilities aim to reduce reoffending through providing education, vocational training, jobs, and mental health support, while still ensuring accountability #WPIA

60 correctional and prison officials representing 17 countries across Africa gathered in Windhoek to share insights on how prison infrastructure can support detainee rehabilitation. Participants pledged to apply the lessons learned to rethink future correctional facility design.

As part of our efforts to deepen engagement with academic institutions on IHL, ICRC’s Ntokozo Sibanyoni joined the judging panel for NWU - North-West University’s Final-Year LLB Moot Court Orals (7 June), alongside Ms Niki Govender & Prof Klaus Beiter—bringing real-world IHL insight! ⚖️

This week, ICRC in Pretoria is attending a Train-the-Trainer seminar with Southern African armed forces. Building on our longstanding collaboration, we are honoured to contribute to the #CJAX2025 and strengthen #IHL integration in future Peace Support Operations by armed forces

The bodies of the dead must be handled with respect, and their dignity protected. Not following these legal obligations and standards in armed conflicts can increase the number of missing people and prolong the suffering of the families. #IHL

I was honoured to have been invited by Raoul Wallenberg Institute to speak on “Humanity at a Crossroads” and challenged facing #IHL globally. Also commending the law students from the universities of Zimbabwe & Zambia for their active engagement during the Winter School in Bindura.

The Tool highlights how traditions shaped norms during conflict. In Ethiopia, killing vulnerable groups brought shame. In Somalia, destroying grazing land or poisoning wells was condemned—showing deep-rooted respect for life and essential resources. Read: shorturl.at/Hgtt6

Veronica, 74, fled the war in eastern DRC after losing her husband & two sons. She found refuge in #Malawi and reconnected with relatives through our Trace the Face App, helping to ease the pain of separation. Thanks to Malawi Red Cross Society for their efforts in reconnecting families