Addis Ababa, Feb. 18(ENA)--The African Parliamentary Union’s (APU) first conference on International Humanitarian Law for the protection of civilians during armed conflict in Africa would commence on Monday in the Niger Capital Niamey.

The conference has aimed to enhance the protection of civilians in armed conflict with a special focus on women, children, the displaced, and other vulnerable groups, a press release issued by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said.

Dawit Yohannes, Speaker of the House of Peoples’ Representatives of Ethiopia, who is current Chairman of the APU Executive Committee and Mahamane Ousmane, President of the Niger’s National Assembly, would open the conference, the release said.

Participants of the three-day conference would discuss means of strengthening parliamentary action both continent-wide and on the regional and sub-regional levels, the release said.

The conference would also offer the opportunity to explore avenues open to members of parliament for the advancement of international humanitarian law.

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