News - The Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights

10 June 2022

Said Condo Ndoli is the Head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) subdelegation in Timbuktu, Mali where he is responsible for coordinating the sub-delegation’s operations by analyzing the humanitarian, political and security environment as well as identifying humanitarian needs and coordinating the humanitarian response to victims of armed conflicts and other situations of violence within Timbuktu region.

He has worked for the ICRC since 2016 in Mauritania, the Central African Republic, and Madagascar. In these various positions, he oversaw humanitarian operations by assisting locals, refugees and displaced communities and ensuring their access to basic needs (medical, food, water, shelter) while advocating for protecting their fundamental rights by the warring parties.

Said holds a diploma in economics, a bachelor’s degree in law (LLB) and graduated from our Executive Master in International Law in Armed Conflict in 2021.

Mali, Timbuktu, airport. Damages caused by an attack in April 2018.

ICRC

Why did you choose to follow this programme?

As a jurist with a special interest in international humanitarian law (IHL), I have always been interested in studying at Geneva Academy, a world-renowned academy of excellence in IHL.

In 2009 and 2010, I applied to the Executive Master and got selected twice but, due to lack of finance, I did not manage to attend the programme. My dream at that time was to follow this programme and then work for the ICRC – an exceptional humanitarian organization specialising in IHL – after graduation.

I ended up achieving my dream in another way by first getting hired by ICRC and got financed by the ICRC to follow the Executive Master!

Did it respond to your expectations?

I wanted a programme that could help me deepen my knowledge of the legal framework that applies to fragile contexts and armed conflict and this programme was the perfect match to my expectations.

How was Distance Learning?

In 2019–2020, due to my heavy workload, this online part-time programme was the best way to acquire in-depth knowledge of international law applied to armed conflict while working at the same time. I had to spare two days per week for studies by following online courses or recordings. This was not easy, but I manage to get through.

What did it bring to your career?

This has been a game-changer in my work as an ICRC delegate. The programme helped me gain another law degree (equivalent to LLM) which could probably open a path to a PhD in the future.

Would you recommend it?

Sure, I highly recommend this programme to anyone wishing to deepen his/her knowledge in the field of international law that applies to armed conflicts because of the high standards of the courses but also the quality of the renowned teachers who share their enormous legal experience. Theory definitely meets reality at Geneva Academy.