Abstract:
This study sought to evaluate the implementation of the principle of distinction in the advent of modern
technologies in warfare, focusing on unmanned combat aerial vehicles. The specific objectives of this
study were: To determine status of unmanned combat aerial vehicles on applicable law for the legality
of its use; to examine challenges facing the implementation of international humanitarian law’s principle
of distinction on the usage of unmanned combat aerial vehicles and to develop strategies to improve the
implementation of international humanitarian law’s principle of distinction on the usage of unmanned
combat aerial vehicles. This study adopted a descriptive research design. The study was conducted at
Tanzania’s National Defence College and International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals –
Arusha Branch.
The population of this study included employees from National Defence College and International
Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals – Arusha Branch. Simple sampling and purposive sampling
were used to select the respondents. This study collected primary data through questionnaires and
interviews while secondary data was gathered using documentary review. The study used both
quantitative and qualitative methodologies for analysis. Specifically, quantitative data was analysed
using descriptive and inferential statistics provided by the SPSS version 26. Otherwise, content analysis
approach was used for the qualitative data. The study found that, UCAV cause long-term damage to the
environment and superfluous injury or unnecessary suffering to individuals. Findings unveiled that,
UCAV fail to discriminate between those taking part in the fighting and others, such as civilians, who are
not.
Also, the study further found that, privatisation of individuals and military functions, military and civilian
purposes of the law, act of use of human shield and non-ratification of the protocol are challenges facing
implementation of the IHL’s principle of distinction on the usage of UCAV. Moreover, the study
established that, regulations concerning (new) means of targeting, regulations concerning targeting and
cooperation among states will improve the implementation of IHL’s principle of distinction on the usage
of UCAV. The researcher recommends that, future studies should be conducted to determine the
effectiveness of principle of distinction in the advent of modern technologies in warfare.