Sarah Mabeza

Regional Legal Advisor at the International Committee of the Red Cross; International Humanitarian Law enthusiast

[Sarah Mabeza @SarahMabeza]

Just finished an engaging peer to peer meeting on IHL with Parliamentarians from Angola and Mozambique, with virtual interventions from Parliamentarians in DRC and Nigeria...so encouraging to see Parliamentarians owning the important role they play in the implementation of #IHL!

[ICRC Southern Africa @ICRC_SAfrica]

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: https://t.co/1aFl76RCL9

[ICRC Southern Africa @ICRC_SAfrica]

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

[ICRC Southern Africa @ICRC_SAfrica]

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

[ICRC Southern Africa @ICRC_SAfrica]

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.

[Sarah Mabeza @SarahMabeza]

Delighted to be back with the Lesotho National IHL Committee in freezing Maseru discussing their role in promoting and respecting #IHL

[ICRC Southern Africa @ICRC_SAfrica]

Yesterday, @ICRC_SAfrica and @LesothoRedCross 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.

[Sarah Mabeza @SarahMabeza]

The relationship between academics and the Tool on African Traditions & the Preservation of Humanity in Warfare is a vibrant one - the Tool can be used in teaching , and academics and researchers can contribute to the Tool's development. Grateful for our partnership with @go2uj!

[ICRC Southern Africa @ICRC_SAfrica]

To mark #AfricaDay, we partnered with @go2uj 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.

[ICRC Southern Africa @ICRC_SAfrica]

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: https://t.co/Xtzj8KRnJt #AfricanValuesInWar

[Sarah Mabeza @SarahMabeza]

ICRC’s Root of Restraint in War concluded in 2018 that "an exclusive focus on the law is not as effective at influencing behaviour as a combination of the law and the values underpinning it. Linking the law to local norms and values gives it greater traction." #AfricanValuesinWar

[ICRC Southern Africa @ICRC_SAfrica]

New Practice Alert! Many communities took great care to protect women and children by creating safe areas during conflict. These traditional practices align with IHL, which allows for the establishment of zones to shield civilians from harm.

[Sarah Mabeza @SarahMabeza]

As we celebrate Africa Day, we welcome the launch of version 2.0 of the Tool on African Traditions and the Preservation of Humanity in Warfare! #AfricanValuesinWar

[ICRC Africa @ICRC_Africa]

On #AfricaDay2025, we celebrate the launch of the updated Tool on African Traditions & the Preservation of Humanity in Warfare.

ICRC regional director for Africa, @PYoussefICRC, shares on the significance of this tool.

Learn more ➡️ https://t.co/nVyE6PE04x

[Sarah Mabeza @SarahMabeza]

Grateful for the amazing support from @DIRCO_ZA for the Tool on African Traditions and the Preservation of Humanity in Warfare! This support aligns with SA Government's important role in the High-level IHL Initiative 2025-2026

[ICRC Southern Africa @ICRC_SAfrica]

On Africa Day, Deputy Minister of @DIRCO_ZA @AlvinBotes74959 commemorates the day by endorsing the Tool on African Traditions & Preservation of Humanity in Warfare. Launched on Tuesday, 2.0 version contains additional practices emphasizing African values to mitigate war effects.

[CICR Afrique @CICR_Afrique]

En cette journée mondiale de l'#Afrique, avec @PYoussefICRC, nous sommes fiers d'annoncer que nous venons de lancer la version 2.0 de l'outil sur les traditions africaines, sur la préservation de l'humanité en temps de guerre.
👇🏿

[ICRC Southern Africa @ICRC_SAfrica]

Looting or mutilating the bodies of the dead is never acceptable. Tradition and IHL demand respect—even for enemies who’ve fallen. Honour lasts beyond the battlefield.
Learn more: https://t.co/Xtzj8KRnJt #AfricanValuesInWar

[ICRC Southern Africa @ICRC_SAfrica]

New Practice Alert! Captives must be treated with dignity. Traditions across Africa upheld this long before IHL codified it. Humane treatment in war is a mark of true strength, not weakness. Learn more: https://t.co/Xtzj8KRnJt #AfricanValuesInWar

[Sarah Mabeza @SarahMabeza]

Thank you to @RobertNanima for his excellent keynote address, linking the Tool to Agenda 2063, as well as for his support for the Tool #AfricanValuesinWar

[ICRC Southern Africa @ICRC_SAfrica]

At the launch of the Tool on African Traditions &Preservation of Humanity in Warfare, @RobertNanima stressed the importance of armed actors in protecting civilians and infrastructure. The Tool promotes healing &dignity while focusing on protection, reaffirming our shared humanity

[ICRC Southern Africa @ICRC_SAfrica]

Across many African traditions, protecting women, children, and the elderly in conflict was a matter of honour. IHL reinforces this duty—those most vulnerable must be shown special respect and care. Learn more: https://t.co/Xtzj8KRnJt #AfricanValuesInWar

[ICRC Southern Africa @ICRC_SAfrica]

Looting and pillaging violate both dignity and honour. Across Africa, these acts were prohibited as dishonourable. IHL similarly bans them, protecting civilian property from destruction or theft. Learn more: https://t.co/Xtzj8KRnJt #AfricanValuesInWar

[ICRC Africa @ICRC_Africa]

Attacking those who can no longer fight was forbidden by tribes in East Africa, Mauritania, and Senegal. This principle is also found in IHL.

Protecting the defenceless is essential to humanity during conflict.

Learn more ➡️ https://t.co/52WLuVltpK

#AfricanValuesInWar

[ICRC Southern Africa @ICRC_SAfrica]

Across many traditions, safeguarding land, water and essential resources during conflict was a mark of responsibility and respect. #IHL upholds this principle—civilian means of survival must be protected. Learn more: https://t.co/Xtzj8KRnJt #AfricanValuesInWar